121P1F1: a tissue specific protein highly expressed in various cancers

ABSTRACT

A novel gene (designated 121P1F1) and its encoded protein are described. While 121P1F1 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, it is aberrantly expressed in multiple cancers including prostate, bladder, kidney, brain, bone, cervical, uterine, ovarian, breast, pancreatic, stomach, colon, rectal, leukocytic, liver and lung cancers. Consequently, 121P1F1 provides a diagnostic and/or therapeutic target for cancers, and the 121P1F1 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein or a fragment thereof used to elicit an immune response.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein relates to a novel gene and its encoded protein, termed 121P1F1, and to diagnostic and therapeutic methods and compositions useful in the management of various cancers that express 121P1 F 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cancer is the second leading cause of human death next to coronary disease. Worldwide, millions of people die from cancer every year. In the United States alone, cancer causes the death of well over a half-million people annually, with some 1.4 million new cases diagnosed per year. While deaths from heart disease have been declining significantly, those resulting from cancer generally are on the rise. In the early part of the next century, cancer is predicted to become the leading cause of death.

Worldwide, several cancers stand out as the leading killers. In particular, carcinomas of the lung, prostate, breast, colon, pancreas, and ovary represent the primary causes of cancer death. These and virtually all other carcinomas share a common lethal feature. With very few exceptions, metastatic disease from a carcinoma is fatal. Moreover, even for those cancer patients who initially survive their primary cancers, common experience has shown that their lives are dramatically altered. Many cancer patients experience strong anxieties driven by the awareness of the potential for recurrence or treatment failure. Many cancer patients experience physical debilitations following treatment. Furthermore, many cancer patients experience a recurrence.

Worldwide, prostate cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer in men. In North America and Northern Europe, it is by far the most common cancer in males and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. In the United States alone, well over 40,000 men die annually of this disease—second only to lung cancer. Despite the magnitude of these figures, there is still no effective treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. Surgical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, hormone ablation therapy, surgical castration and chemotherapy continue to be the main treatment modalities. Unfortunately, these treatments are ineffective for many and are often associated with undesirable consequences.

On the diagnostic front, the lack of a prostate tumor marker that can accurately detect early-stage, localized tumors remains a significant limitation in the diagnosis and management of this disease. Although the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) assay has been a very useful tool, however its specificity and general utility is widely regarded as lacking in several important respects.

Progress in identifying additional specific markers for prostate cancer has been improved by the generation of prostate cancer xenografts that can recapitulate different stages of the disease in mice. The LAPC (Los Angeles Prostate Cancer) xenografts are prostate cancer xenografts that have survived passage in severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice and have exhibited the capacity to mimic the transition from androgen dependence to androgen independence (Klein et al., 1997, Nat. Med. 3:402). More recently identified prostate cancer markers include PCTA-1 (Su et al., 1996, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 7252), prostate-specific membrane (PSM) antigen (Pinto et al., Clin Cancer Res 1996 September; 2 (9):1445-51), STEAP (Proc Natl. Acad. Sci USA. 1999 Dec. 7; 96(25):14523-8) and prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) (Reiter et al., 1998, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95: 1735).

While previously identified markers such as PSA, PSM, PCTA and PSCA have facilitated efforts to diagnose and treat prostate cancer, there is need for the identification of additional markers and therapeutic targets for prostate and related cancers in order to further improve diagnosis and therapy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel gene, designated 121P1F1 that is over-expressed in multiple cancers listed in Table 1. Northern blot expression analysis of 121P1F1 gene expression in normal tissues shows a restricted expression pattern in adult tissues. The nucleotide (FIG. 2) and amino acid (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) sequences of 121P1F1 are provided. The tissue-related profile of 121P1F1 in normal adult tissues, combined with the over-expression observed in prostate and other tumors, shows that 121P1F1 is aberrantly over-expressed in at least some cancers, and thus serves as a useful diagnostic and/or therapeutic target for cancers of the tissues such as those listed in Table 1.

The invention provides polynucleotides corresponding or complementary to all or part of the 121P1F1 genes, mRNAs, and/or coding sequences, preferably in isolated form, including polynucleotides encoding 121P1F1-related proteins and fragments of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or more than 25 contiguous amino acids; at least 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 or more than 100 contiguous amino acids of a 121P1F1-related protein, as well as the peptides/proteins themselves; DNA, RNA, DNA/RNA hybrids, and related molecules, polynucleotides or oligonucleotides complementary or having at least a 90% homology to the 121P1F1 genes or mRNA sequences or parts thereof, and polynucleotides or oligonucleotides that hybridize to the 121P1F1 genes, mRNAs, or to 121P1F1-encoding polynucleotides. Also provided are means for isolating cDNAs and the genes encoding 121P1F1. Recombinant DNA molecules containing 121P1F1 polynucleotides, cells transformed or transduced with such molecules, and host-vector systems for the expression of 121P1F1 gene products are also provided. The invention further provides antibodies that bind to 121P1F1 proteins and polypeptide fragments thereof, including polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, murine and other mammalian antibodies, chimeric antibodies, humanized and fully human antibodies, and antibodies labeled with a detectable marker.

The invention further provides methods for detecting the presence and status of 121P1F1 polynucleotides and proteins in various biological samples, as well as methods for identifying cells that express 121P1F1. A typical embodiment of this invention provides methods for monitoring 121P1F1 gene products in a tissue or hematology sample having or suspected of having some form of growth dysregulation such as cancer.

The invention further provides various immunogenic or therapeutic compositions and strategies for treating cancers that express 121P1F1 such as prostate cancers, including therapies aimed at inhibiting the transcription, translation, processing or function of 121P1F1 as well as cancer vaccines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a 121P1F1 SSH sequence. The SSH experiment was performed using cDNA digested with DPN II. The 121P1F1 sequence contains 254 bp.

FIG. 2 sets forth the cDNA and amino acid sequence of 121P1F1. The start methionine is indicated in bold.

FIG. 3 sets forth the amino acid sequence encoded by the open reading frame of the nucleic acid sequence set forth in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A-B provides an alignment of 121P1F1 with (FIG. 4A) a putative mouse protein and (FIG. 4B) the 24.2 kD hypothetical yeast protein using the BLAST function (NCBI).

FIG. 5A-B provides data from an RT-PCR analysis of 121P1F1 expression. First strand cDNA was prepared (5A) from 8 human normal tissues (Lanes 1-8: colon, ovary, leukemia, prostate, small intestine, spleen, testis and thymus, respectively), and (5B) from patient tumor specimens, including vital pool 1 (Lane 1, VP1: liver, lung and kidney), vital pool 2 (Lane 2, VP2: pancreas, spleen and stomach), LAPC xenograft pool (Lane 3, XP; LAPC-4AD, LAPC-4AI, LAPC-9AD and LAPC-9AI), normal prostate (Lane 4, NP), prostate cancer pool (Lane 5), bladder cancer pool (Lane 6), kidney cancer pool (Lane 7), colon cancer pool (Lane 8) and lung cancer pool (Lane 9). Lane 10 is water only. Normalization was performed by PCR using primers to actin and GAPDH. Semi-quantitative PCR, using primers to 121P1F1, was performed at 25 and 30 cycles of amplification.

FIG. 6A-B sets forth expression of 121P1F1 in normal human tissues by northern blot analysis. Two multiple tissue northern blots (Clontech) with 2 μg of mRNA/lane, were probed with the 121P1F1 SSH fragment. Size standards in kilobases (kb) are indicated on the side. The results show exclusive expression of an approximately 1.2 kb 121P1F1 transcript in testis and to a lower level in thymus. Lanes 1-8 of 6A represent heart, brain, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas, respectively. Lanes 1-8 of 6B represent spleen, thymus, prostate, testis, ovary, small intestine, colon and leukocytes, respectively.

FIG. 7 sets forth expression data of 121P1F1 in cancer cell lines. RNA was extracted from a number of cancer cell lines (Lanes 1-34 represent LAPC 4AD, LAPC 4AI, LAPC 9AD, LAPC 9AI, LNCaP, PC-3, DU145, Tsu-Pr 1, LAPC 4, HT1197, SCaBER, UM-UC-3, TCCSUP, J82, 5637, 293T, RD-ES, A427, NC1-H82, NC1-H146, 769-P, A-498, CAK1-1, SW 839, PANC-1, Bx PC-3, HPAC, Capan-1, SK-CO-1, Caco-2, LoVo, T84, Colo205 and KCL 22, respectively). Northern blots with 10 μg of total RNA/lane were probed with the 121P1F1 SSH fragment. Size standards in kilobases (kb) are indicated on the side.

FIG. 8 sets forth expression of 121P1F1 in prostate cancer patient samples. RNA was extracted from the prostate tumors (T) and their normal adjacent tissue (N) derived from prostate cancer patients. Northern blots with 10 μg of total RNA/lane were probed with the 121P1F1 SSH fragment. Size standards in kilobases (kb) are indicated on the side.

FIG. 9 sets forth data for expression of 121P1F1 in human patient cancer specimens and cancer cell lines. Expression of 121P1F1 was assayed in a panel of human cancers (T) and their respective matched normal tissues (N) on RNA dot blots. 121P1F1 expression was seen in kidney, breast, prostate, colon, uterus, lung, and stomach cancers. 121P1F1 was also found to be highly expressed in a panel of cancer cell lines in the following cancer cell lines (from left to right): HeLa, Daudi, K562, HL-60, G361, A549, MOLT-4, SW480, and Raji.

FIG. 10 provides data for the specific recognition of 121P1F1 antigen by anti-121P1F1 polyclonal antibody. Approximately 20 ng/lane of both 121P1F1 cleavage antigen and free GST protein was separated by SDS-PAGE and transferred to nitrocellulose. Following blocking, the blot was probed with the indicated dilutions of pre-immune serum and anti-121P1F1 serum, washed, and then incubated with goat-anti-rabbit IgG-HRP secondary antibody. Anti-121P1F1 immunoreactive bands were developed using enhanced chemiluminescence and visualized by exposure to autoradiography film. Indicated by arrow is specific recognition of 121P1F1 cleavage antigen (19 kD) by the antiserum. Lanes 1-5 represent pre-immune serum 1:100; pre-immune serum 1:1,600; anti-121P1F1 serum 1:100, anti-121P1F1 serum 1:400 and anti-121P1F1 serum 1:1,600, respectively.

FIG. 11 shows androgen regulation of 121P1F1 expression. LAPC-4² cells were grown in charcoal-stripped medium and stimulated with the synthetic androgen mibolerone, for either 14 or 24 hours. Northern blot was performed with 10 μg of total RNA for each sample, and probed with the 121P1F1 SSH fragment The expression of 121P1F1 goes down in the absence of normal serum, and is modulated in the presence of mibolerone, 24 hours after stimulation. Lanes 1-5 represent LAPC-4² FBS; LAPC-4² charcoal-stripped FBS, 14 hrs; LAPC-4² charcoal-stripped FBS, 14 hrs+mib; LAPC-4² charcoal-stripped FBS, 24 hrs; and LAPC-4² charcoal-stripped FBS, 24 hrs+mib, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

I.) Definitions:

Unless otherwise defined, all terms of art, notations and other scientific terms or terminology used herein are intended to have the meanings commonly understood by those of skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and/or for ready reference, and the inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent a substantial difference over what is generally understood in the art. Many of the techniques and procedures described or referenced herein are well understood and commonly employed using conventional methodology by those skilled in the art, such as, for example, the widely utilized molecular cloning methodologies described in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual 2nd. edition (1989) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. As appropriate, procedures involving the use of commercially available kits and reagents are generally carried out in accordance with manufacturer defined protocols and/or parameters unless otherwise noted.

As used herein, the terms “advanced prostate cancer”, “locally advanced prostate cancer”, “advanced disease” and “locally advanced disease” mean prostate cancers that have extended through the prostate capsule, and are meant to include stage C disease under the American Urological Association (AUA) system, stage C₁-C₂ disease under the Whitmore-Jewett system, and stage T3-T4 and N+ disease under the TNM (tumor, node, metastasis) system. In general, surgery is not recommended for patients with locally advanced disease, and these patients have substantially less favorable outcomes compared to patients having clinically localized (organ-confined) prostate cancer. Locally advanced disease is clinically identified by palpable evidence of induration beyond the lateral border of the prostate, or asymmetry or induration above the prostate base. Locally advanced prostate cancer is presently diagnosed pathologically following radical prostatectomy if the tumor invades or penetrates the prostatic capsule, extends into the surgical margin, or invades the seminal vesicles.

“Altering the native glycosylation pattern” is intended for purposes herein to mean deleting one or more carbohydrate moieties found in native sequence 121P1F1 (either by removing the underlying glycosylation site or by deleting the glycosylation by chemical and/or enzymatic means), and/or adding one or more glycosylation sites that are not present in the native sequence 121P1F1. In addition, the phrase includes qualitative changes in the glycosylation of the native proteins, involving a change in the nature and proportions of the various carbohydrate moieties present.

The term “analog” refers to a molecule which is structurally similar or shares similar or corresponding attributes with another molecule (e.g. a 121P1F1-related protein). For example an analog of the 121P1F1 protein can be specifically bound by an antibody or T cell that specifically binds to 121P1F1.

The term “antibody” is used in the broadest sense. Therefore an “antibody” can be naturally occurring or man-made such as monoclonal antibodies produced by conventional hybridoma technology. Anti-121P1F1 antibodies comprise monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies as well as fragments containing the antigen-binding domain and/or one or more complementarity determining regions of these antibodies.

As used herein, an “antibody fragment” is defined as at least a portion of the variable region of the immunoglobulin molecule that binds to its target, i.e., the antigen-binding region. In one embodiment it specifically covers single anti-121P1F1 antibodies and clones thereof (including agonist, antagonist and neutralizing antibodies) and anti-121P1F1 antibody compositions with polyepitopic specificity.

The term “codon optimized sequences” refers to nucleotide sequences that have been optimized for a particular host species by replacing any codons having a usage frequency of less than about 20%. Nucleotide sequences that have been optimized for expression in a given host species by elimination of spurious polyadenylation sequences, elimination of exon/intron splicing signals, elimination of transposon-like repeats and/or optimization of GC content in addition to codon optimization are referred to herein as an “expression enhanced sequences.”

The term “cytotoxic agent” as used herein refers to a substance that inhibits or prevents the function of cells and/or causes destruction of cells. The term is intended to include radioactive isotopes chemotherapeutic agents, and toxins such as small molecule toxins or enzymatically active toxins of bacterial, fungal, plant or animal origin, including fragments and/or variants thereof. Examples of cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited to maytansinoids, ytrium, bismuth ricin, ricin A-chain, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, taxol, ethidium bromide, mitomycin, etoposide, tenoposide, vincristine, vinblastine, colchicine, dihydroxy anthracin dione, actinomycin, diphtheria toxin, Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) A, PE40, abrin, abrin A chain, modeccin A chain, alpha-sarcin, gelonin, mitogellin, retstrictocin, phenomycin, enomycin, curicin, crotin, calicheamicin, sapaonaria officinalis inhibitor, and glucocorticoid and other chemotherapeutic agents, as well as radioisotopes such as At³¹¹, I¹³¹, I¹²⁵, Y⁹⁰, Re¹⁸⁶, Re¹⁸⁸, Sm¹⁵³, Bi²¹², p³² and radioactive isotopes of Lu. Antibodies may also be conjugated to an anti-cancer pro-drug activating enzyme capable of converting the pro-drug to its active form.

The term “homolog” refers to a miolecule which exhibits homology to another molecule, by for example, having sequences of chemical residues that are the same or similar at corresponding positions.

As used herein, the terms “hybridize”, “hybridizing”, “hybridizes” and the like, used in the context of polynucleotides, are meant to refer to conventional hybridization conditions, preferably such as hybridization in 50% formamide/6×SSC/0.1% SDS/100 μg/ml ssDNA, in which temperatures for hybridization are above 37 degrees C. and temperatures for washing in 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS are above 55 degrees C.

As used herein, a polynucleotide is said to be “isolated” when it is substantially separated from contaminant polynucleotides that correspond or are complementary to genes other than the 121P1F1 gene or that encode polypeptides other than 121P1F1 gene product or fragments thereof. A skilled artisan can readily employ nucleic acid isolation procedures to obtain an isolated 121P1F1 polynucleotide.

As used herein, a protein is said to be “isolated” when physical, mechanical or chemical methods are employed to remove the 121P1F1 protein from cellular constituents that are normally associated with the protein. A skilled artisan can readily employ standard purification methods to obtain an isolated 121P1F1 protein. Alternatively, an isolated protein can be prepared by chemical means.

The term “mammal” as used herein refers to any organism classified as a mammal, including mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, cows, horses and humans. In one embodiment of the invention, the mammal is a mouse. In another embodiment of the invention, the mammal is a human.

As used herein, the terms “metastatic prostate cancer” and “metastatic disease” mean prostate cancers that have spread to regional lymph nodes or to distant sites, and are meant to include stage D disease under the AUA system and stage TxNxM+ under the TNM system. As is the case with locally advanced prostate cancer, surgery is generally not indicated for patients with metastatic disease, and hormonal (androgen ablation) therapy is a preferred treatment modality. Patients with metastatic prostate cancer eventually develop an androgen-refractory state within 12 to 18 months of treatment initiation. Approximately half of these androgen-refractory patients die within 6 months after developing that status. The most common site for prostate cancer metastasis is bone. Prostate cancer bone metastases are often osteoblastic rather than osteolytic (i.e., resulting in net bone formation). Bone metastases are found most frequently in the spine, followed by the femur, pelvis, rib cage, skull and humerus. Other common sites for metastasis include lymph nodes, lung, liver and brain. Metastatic prostate cancer is typically diagnosed by open or laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy, whole body radionuclide scans, skeletal radiography, and/or bone lesion biopsy.

The term “monoclonal antibody” as used herein refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the antibodies comprising the population are identical except for possible naturally occurring mutations that are present in minor amounts.

As used herein “motif” as in biological motif of an 121P1F1-related protein, refers to any pattern of amino acids forming part of the primary sequence of a protein, that is associated with a particular function (e.g. protein-protein interaction, protein-DNA interaction, etc) or modification (e.g. that is phosphorylated, glycosylated or amidated), or localization (e.g. secretory sequence, nuclear localization sequence, etc.) or a sequence that is correlated with being immunogenic, either humorally or cellularly. A motif can be either contiguous or capable of being aligned to certain positions that are generally correlated with a certain function or property.

As used herein, the term “polynucleotide” means a polymeric form of nucleotides of at least 10 bases or base pairs in length, either ribonucleotides or deoxynucleotides or a modified form of either type of nucleotide, and is meant to include single and double stranded forms of DNA and/or RNA. In the art, this term if often used interchangeably with “oligonucleotide”. A polynucleotide can comprise a nucleotide sequence disclosed herein wherein thymidine (T) (as shown for example in SEQ ID NO: 1) can also be uracil (U); this definition pertains to the differences between the chemical structures of DNA and RNA, in particular the observation that one of the four major bases in RNA is uracil (U) instead of thymidine (T).

As used herein, the term “polypeptide” means a polymer of at least about 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 amino acids. Throughout the specification, standard three letter or single letter designations for amino acids are used. In the art, this term is often used interchangeably with “peptide” or “protein”.

As used herein, a “recombinant” DNA or RNA molecule is a DNA or RNA molecule that has been subjected to molecular manipulation in vitro.

“Stringency” of hybridization reactions is readily determinable by one of ordinary skill in the art, and generally is an empirical calculation dependent upon probe length, washing temperature, and salt concentration. In general, longer probes require higher temperatures for proper annealing, while shorter probes need lower temperatures. Hybridization generally depends on the ability of denatured nucleic acid sequences to reanneal when complementary strands are present in an environment below their melting temperature. The higher the degree of desired homology between the probe and hybridizable sequence, the higher the relative temperature that can be used. As a result, it follows that higher relative temperatures would tend to make the reaction conditions more stringent, while lower temperatures less so. For additional details and explanation of stringency of hybridization reactions, see Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley Interscience Publishers, (1995).

“Stringent conditions” or “high stringency conditions”, as defined herein, are identified by, but not limited to, those that: (1) employ low ionic strength and high temperature for washing, for example 0.015 M sodium chloride/0.0015 M sodium citrate/0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate at 50° C.; (2) employ during hybridization a denaturing agent, such as formamide, for example, 50% (v/v) formamide with 0.1% bovine serum albumin/0.1% Ficoll/0.1% polyvinylpyrrolidone/50 mM sodium phosphate buffer at pH 6.5 with 750 mM sodium chloride, 75 mM sodium citrate at 42° C.; or (3) employ 50% formamide, 5×SSC (0.75 M NaCl, 0.075 M sodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (PH 6.8), 0.1% sodium pyrophosphate, 5× Denhardt's solution, sonicated salmon sperm DNA (50 μg/ml), 0.1% SDS, and 10% dextran sulfate at 42° C., with washes at 42° C. in 0.2×SSC (sodium chloride/sodium. citrate) and 50% formamide at 55° C., followed by a high-stringency wash consisting of 0.1×SSC containing EDTA at 55° C. “Moderately stringent conditions” are described by, but not limited to, those in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, New York: Cold Spring Harbor Press, 1989, and include the use of washing solution and hybridization conditions (e.g., temperature, ionic strength and % SDS) less stringent than those described above. An example of moderately stringent conditions is overnight incubation at 37° C. in a solution comprising: 20% formamide, 5×SSC (150 mM NaCl, 15 mM trisodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.6), 5× Denhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, and 20 mg/mL denatured sheared salmon sperm DNA, followed by washing the filters in 1×SSC at about 37-50° C. The skilled artisan will recognize how to adjust the temperature, ionic strength, etc. as necessary to accommodate factors such as probe length and the like.

A “transgenic animal” (e.g., a mouse or rat) is an animal having cells that contain a transgene, which transgene was introduced into the animal or an ancestor of the animal at a prenatal, e.g., an embryonic stage. A “transgene” is a DNA that is integrated into the genome of a cell from which a transgenic animal develops.

The term “variant” refers to a molecule that exhibits a variation from a described type or norm, such as a protein that has one or more different amino acid residues in the corresponding position(s) of a specifically described protein (e.g. the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2). An analog is an example of a variant protein.

As used herein, the 121P1F1-related gene and 121P1F1-related protein includes the 121P1F1 genes and proteins specifically described herein, as well as structurally and/or functionally similar variants or analog of the foregoing. 121P1F1 peptide analogs generally share at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or more amino acid homology (using BLAST criteria). 121P1F1 nucleotide analogs preferably share 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or more nucleic acid homology (using BLAST criteria). In some embodiments, however, lower homology is preferred so as to select preferred residues in view of species-specific codon preferences and/or optimal peptide epitopes tailored to a particular target population, as is appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The 121P1F1-related proteins of the invention include those specifically identified herein, as well as allelic variants, conservative substitution variants, analogs and homologs that can be isolated/generated and characterized without undue experimentation following the methods outlined herein or readily available in the art. Fusion proteins that combine parts of different 121P1F1 proteins or fragments thereof, as well as fusion proteins of a 121P1F1 protein and a heterologous polypeptide are also included. Such 121P1F1 proteins are collectively referred to as the 121P1F1-related proteins, the proteins of the invention, or 121P1F1. As used herein, the term “121P1F1-related protein” refers to a polypeptide fragment or an 121P1F1 protein sequence of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or more than 25 amino acids; or, at least 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 or more than 100 amino acids.

II.) Properties of 121P1F1.

As disclosed herein, 121P1F1 exhibits specific properties that are analogous to those found in a family of molecules whose polynucleotides, polypeptides, reactive cytotoxic T cells (CTL), reactive helper T cells (HTL) and anti-polypeptide antibodies are used in well known diagnostic assays that examine conditions associated with dysregulated cell growth such as cancer, in particular prostate cancer (see, e.g., both its highly specific pattern of tissue expression as well as its overexpression in prostate cancers as described for example in Example 3). The best-known member of this class is PSA, the archetypal marker that has been used by medical practitioners for years to identify and monitor the presence of prostate cancer (see, e.g., Merrill et al., J. Urol. 163(2): 503-5120 (2000); Polascik et al., J. Urol. August; 162(2):293-306 (1999) and Fortier et al., J. Nat. Cancer Inst. 91(19): 1635-1640 (1999)). A variety of other diagnostic markers are also used in this context including p53 and K-ras (see, e.g., Tulchinsky et al., Int J Mol Med 1999 July 4 (1):99-102 and Minimoto et al., Cancer Detect Prev 2000; 24(1):1-12). Therefore, this disclosure of the 121P1F1 polynucleotides and polypeptides (as well as the 121P1F1 polynucleotide probes and anti-121P1F1 antibodies used to identify the presence of these molecules) and their properties allows skilled artisans to utilize these molecules in methods that are analogous to those used, for example, in a variety of diagnostic assays directed to examining conditions associated with cancer.

Typical embodiments of diagnostic methods which utilize the 121P1F1 polynucleotides, polypeptides, reactive T cells and antibodies are analogous to those methods from well-established diagnostic assays which employ, e.g., PSA polynucleotides, polypeptides, reactive T cells and antibodies. For example, just as PSA polynucleotides are used as probes (for example in Northern analysis, see, e.g., Sharief et al., Biochem. Mol. Biol. Int. 33(3):567-74 (1994)) and primers (for example in PCR analysis, see, e.g., Okegawa et al., J. Urol. 163(4): 1189-1190 (2000)) to observe the presence and/or the level of PSA mRNAs in methods of monitoring PSA overexpression or the metastasis of prostate cancers, the 121P1F1 polynucleotides described herein can be utilized in the same way to detect 121P1F1 overexpression or the metastasis of prostate and other cancers expressing this gene. Alternatively, just as PSA polypeptides are used to generate antibodies specific for PSA which can then be used to observe the presence and/or the level of PSA proteins in methods to monitor PSA protein overexpression (see, e.g., Stephan et al., Urology 55(4):560-3 (2000)) or the metastasis of prostate cells (see, e.g., Alanen et al., Pathol. Res. Pract. 192(3):233-7 (1996)), the 121P1F1 polypeptides described herein can be utilized to generate antibodies for use in detecting 121P1F1 overexpression or the metastasis of prostate cells and cells of other cancers expressing this gene.

Specifically, because metastases involves the movement of cancer cells from an organ of origin (such as the lung or prostate gland etc.) to a different area of the body (such as a lymph node), assays which examine a biological sample for the presence of cells expressing 121P1F1 polynucleotides and/or polypeptides can be used to provide evidence of metastasis. For example, when a biological sample from tissue that does not normally contain 121P1F1-expressing cells (lymph node) is found to contain 121P1F1-expressing cells such as the 121P1F1 expression seen in LAPC4 and LAPC9, xenografts isolated from lymph node and bone metastasis, respectively, this finding is indicative of metastasis.

Alternatively 121P1F1 polynucleotides and/or polypeptides can be used to provide evidence of cancer, for example, when cells in a biological sample that do not normally express 121P1F1 or express 121P1F1 at a different level are found to express 121P1F1 or have an increased expression of 121P1F1 (see, e.g., the 121P1F1 expression in kidney, lung and colon cancer cells and in patient samples etc. shown in FIGS. 5-9). In such assays, artisans may further wish to generate supplementary evidence of metastasis by testing the biological sample for the presence of a second tissue restricted marker (in addition to 121P1F1) such as PSA, PSCA etc. (see, e.g., Alanen et al., Pathol. Res. Pract. 192(3): 233-237 (1996)).

Just as PSA polynucleotide fragments and polynucleotide variants are employed by skilled artisans for use in methods of monitoring PSA, 121P1F1 polynucleotide fragments and polynucleotide variants are used in an analogous manner. In particular, typical PSA polynucleotides used in methods of monitoring PSA are probes or primers which consist of fragments of the PSA cDNA sequence. Illustrating this, primers used to PCR amplify a PSA polynucleotide must include less than the whole PSA sequence to function in the polymerase chain reaction. In the context of such PCR reactions, skilled artisans generally create a variety of different polynucleotide fragments that can be used as primers in order to amplify different portions of a polynucleotide of interest or to optimize amplification reactions (see, e.g., Caetano-Anolles, G. Biotechniques 25(3): 472476, 478-480 (1998); Robertson et al., Methods Mol. Biol. 98:121-154 (1998)). An additional illustration of the use of such fragments is provided in Example 3, where a 121P1F1 polynucleotide fragment is used as a probe to show the expression of 121P1F1 RNAs in cancer cells. In addition, variant polynucleotide sequences are typically used as primers and probes for the corresponding mRNAs in PCR and Northern analyses (see, e.g., Sawai et al., Fetal Diagn. Ther. 1996 November-December 11(6):407-13 and Current Protocols In Molecular Biology, Volume 2, Unit 2, Frederick M. Ausubul et al. eds., 1995)). Polynucleotide fragments and variants are useful in this context where they are capable of binding to a target polynucleotide sequence (e.g. the 121P1F1 polynucleotide shown in SEQ ID NO: 1) under conditions of high stringency.

Furthermore, PSA polypeptides which contain an epitope that can be recognized by an antibody or T cell that specifically binds to that epitope are used in methods of monitoring PSA. 121P1F1 polypeptide fragments and polypeptide analogs or variants can also be used in an analogous manner. This practice of using polypeptide fragments or polypeptide variants to generate antibodies (such as anti-PSA antibodies or T cells) is typical in the art with a wide variety of systems such as fusion proteins being used by practitioners (see, e.g., Current Protocols In Molecular Biology, Volume 2, Unit 16, Frederick M. Ausubul et al. eds., 1995). In this context, each epitope(s) functions to provide the architecture with which an antibody or T cell is reactive. Typically, skilled artisans create a variety of different polypeptide fragments that can be used in order to generate immune responses specific for different portions of a polypeptide of interest (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,501 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,533). For example it may be preferable to utilize a polypeptide comprising one of the 121P1F1 biological motifs discussed herein or available in the art. Polypeptide fragments, variants or analogs are typically useful in this context as long as they comprise an epitope capable of generating an antibody or T cell specific for a target polypeptide sequence (e.g. the 121P1F1 polypeptide shown in SEQ ID NO: 2).

As shown herein, the 121P1F1 polynucleotides and polypeptides (as well as the 121P1F1 polynucleotide probes and anti-121P1F1 antibodies or T cells used to identify the presence of these molecules) exhibit specific properties that make them useful in diagnosing cancers of the prostate. Diagnostic assays that measure the presence of 121P1F1 gene products, in order to evaluate the presence or onset of a disease condition described herein, such as prostate cancer, are used to identify patients for preventive measures or further monitoring, as has been done so successfully with PSA. Moreover, these materials satisfy a need in the art for molecules having similar or complementary characteristics to PSA in situations where, for example, a definite diagnosis of metastasis of prostatic origin cannot be made on the basis of a test for PSA alone (see, e.g., Alanen et al., Pathol. Res. Pract. 192(3): 233-237 (1996)), and consequently, materials such as 121P1F1 polynucleotides and polypeptides (as well as the 121P1F1 polynucleotide probes and anti-121P1F1 antibodies used to identify the presence of these molecules) must be employed to confirm metastases of prostatic origin.

Finally, in addition to their use in diagnostic assays, the 121P1F1 polynucleotides disclosed herein have a number of other specific utilities such as their use in the identification of oncogenetic associated chromosomal abnormalities in the chromosomal region to which the 121P1F1 gene maps (see Example 7 below). Moreover, in addition to their use in diagnostic assays, the 121P1F1-related proteins and polynucleotides disclosed herein have other utilities such as their use in the forensic analysis of tissues of unknown origin (see, e.g., Takahama K Forensic Sci Int 1996 Jun. 28; 80(1-2): 63-9).

Additionally, 121P1F1-related proteins or polynucleotides of the invention can be used to treat a pathologic condition characterized by the over-expression of 121P1F1. For example, the amino acid or nucleic acid sequence of FIG. 2, or fragments thereof, can be used to generate an immune response to the 121P1F1 antigen. Antibodies or other molecules that react with 121P1F1 can be used to modulate the function of this molecule, and thereby provide a therapeutic benefit.

III.) 121P1F1 Polynucleotides

One aspect of the invention provides polynucleotides corresponding or complementary to all or part of an 121P1F1 gene, mRNA, and/or coding sequence, preferably in isolated form, including polynucleotides encoding an 121P1F1-related protein and fragments thereof, DNA, RNA, DNA/RNA hybrid, and related molecules, polynucleotides or oligonucleotides complementary to an 121P1F1 gene or mRNA sequence or a part thereof, and polynucleotides or oligonucleotides that hybridize to an 121P1F1 gene, mRNA, or to an 121P1F1 encoding polynucleotide (collectively, “121P1F1 polynucleotides”). In all instances when referred to in this section, T can also be U in FIG. 2.

Embodiments of a 121P1F1 polynucleotide include: a 121P1F1 polynucleotide having the sequence shown in FIG. 2, the nucleotide sequence of 121P1F1 as shown in FIG. 2, wherein T is U; at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of a polynucleotide having the sequence as shown in FIG. 2; or, at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of a polynucleotide having the sequence as shown in FIG. 2 where T is U. Further 121P1F1 nucleotides comprise, where T can be U:

-   -   (a) a polynucleotide having the sequence as shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ         ID NO: 1), from nucleotide residue number 1 through nucleotide         residue number 654; or,     -   (b) a polynucleotide having the sequence as shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ         ID NO: 1), from nucleotide residue number 654 through nucleotide         residue number 660; or,     -   (c) a polynucleotide having the sequence as shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ         ID NO: 1), from nucleotide residue number 654 through nucleotide         residue number 696; or     -   (d) a polynucleotide having the sequence as shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ         ID NO: 1), from nucleotide residue number 1 through nucleotide         residue number 696; or     -   (e) a polynucleotide whose starting base is in the range of         1-653 of FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and whose ending base is in the         range of 654-696 of FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO: 1); or     -   (e) a polynucleotide whose starting base is in the range of         1-660 of FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and whose ending base is in the         range of 661-696 of FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO: 1); or     -   (f) a polynucleotide of at least 10 bases in the range of         nucleotide residues 661-696 of FIG. 2(SEQ ID NO: 1)     -   (g) a polynucleotide of at least 10 bases of FIG. 2 (SEQ ID         NO: 1) that comprises the base at position 654;     -   (h) a polynucleotide that selectively hybridizes under stringent         conditions to a polynucleotide of (a)-(g);     -   wherein a range is understood to specifically disclose all whole         unit positions thereof. Moreover, a peptide that is encoded by         any of the foregoing is also within the scope of the invention.

Also within the scope of the invention is a nucleotide, as well as any peptide encoded thereby, that starts at any of the following positions and ends at a higher position or range: 1, 654, a range of 1-653, a range of 1-654; 654, a range of 653-660, a range of 654-660; a range of 653-696; a range of 654-696; 696; wherein a range as used in this section is understood to specifically disclose all whole unit positions thereof.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a polynucleotide that encodes a 121P1F1-related protein whose sequence is encoded by the cDNA contained in the plasmid deposited with American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) as Accession No. [***]. Another embodiment comprises a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions, to the human 121P1F1 cDNA shown in FIG. 2 or to a polynucleotide fragment thereof.

Typical embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include 121P1F1 polynucleotides that encode specific portions of the 121P1F1 mRNA sequence (and those which are complementary to such sequences) such as those that encode the protein and fragments thereof, for example of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or more contiguous amino acids.

For example, representative embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include: polynucleotides and their encoded peptides themselves encoding about amino acid 1 to about amino acid 10 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polynucleotides encoding about amino acid 10 to about amino acid 20 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polynucleotides encoding about amino acid 20 to about amino acid 30 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polynucleotides encoding about amino acid 30 to about amino acid 40 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polynucleotides encoding about amino acid 40 to about amino acid 50 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polynucleotides encoding about amino acid 50 to about amino acid 60 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polynucleotides encoding about amino acid 60 to about amino acid 70 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polynucleotides encoding about amino acid 70 to about amino acid 80 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polynucleotides encoding about amino acid 80 to about amino acid 90 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polynucleotides encoding about amino acid 90 to about amino acid 100 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, in increments of about 10 amino acids, ending at the carboxyl terminal amino acid set forth in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. Accordingly polynucleotides encoding portions of the amino acid sequence (of about 10 amino acids), of amino acids 100 through the carboxyl terminal amino acid of the 121P1F1 protein are embodiments of the invention. Wherein it is understood that each particular amino acid position discloses that position plus or minus five amino acid residues.

Polynucleotides encoding relatively long portions of the 121P1F1 protein are also within the scope of the invention. For example polynucleotides encoding from about amino acid 1 (or 20 or 30 or 40 etc.) to about amino acid 20, (or 30, or 40 or 50 etc.) of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 can be generated by a variety of techniques well known in the art. These polynucleotide fragments can include any portion of the 121P1F1 sequence as shown in FIG. 2.

Additional illustrative embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include 121P1F1 polynucleotide fragments encoding one or more of the biological motifs contained within the 121P1F1 protein sequence, including one or more of the motif-bearing subsequences of the 121P1F1 protein set forth in Tables V-XIX. In another embodiment, typical polynucleotide fragments of the invention encode one or more of the regions of 121P1F1 that exhibit homology to a known molecule. In another embodiment of the invention, typical polynucleotide fragments can encode one or more of the 121P1F1 N-glycosylation sites, cAMP and cCMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation sites, casein kinase II phosphorylation sites or N-myristoylation site and amidation sites.

III.A.) Uses of 121P1F1 Polynucleotides

III.A.1.) Monitoring of Genetic Abnormalities

The polynucleotides of the preceding paragraphs have a number of different specific uses. The human 121P1F1 gene maps to chromosome 2q34 as determined using the GeneBridge4 radiation hybrid panel (see Example 7). For example, because the 121P1F1 gene maps to the chromosome location set forth in Example 7, polynucleotides that encode different regions of the 121P1F1 protein are used to characterize cytogenetic abnormalities of this chromosomal locale, such as abnormalities that are identified as being associated with various cancers. In certain genes, a variety of chromosomal abnormalities including rearrangements have been identified as frequent cytogenetic abnormalities in a number of different cancers (see e.g. Krajinovic et al., Mutat. Res. 382(3-4): 81-83 (1998); Johansson et al., Blood 86(10): 3905-3914 (1995) and Finger et al., P.N.A.S. 85(23): 9158-9162 (1988)). Thus, polynucleotides encoding specific regions of the 121P1F1 protein provide new tools that can be used to delineate, with greater precision than previously possible, cytogenetic abnormalities in the chromosomal region that encodes 121P1F1 that may contribute to the malignant phenotype. In this context, these polynucleotides satisfy a need in the art for expanding the sensitivity of chromosomal screening in order to identify more subtle and less common chromosomal abnormalities (see e.g. Evans et al., Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol 171(4): 1055-1057 (1994)).

Furthermore, as 121P1F1 was shown to be highly expressed in prostate and other cancers, 121P1F1 polynucleotides are used in methods assessing the status of 121P1F1 gene products in normal versus cancerous tissues. Typically, polynucleotides that encode specific regions of the 121P1F1 protein are used to assess the presence of perturbations (such as deletions, insertions, point mutations, or alterations resulting in a loss of an antigen etc.) in specific regions of the 121P1F1 gene, such as such regions containing one or more motifs. Exemplary assays include both RT-PCR assays as well as single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis (see, e.g., Marrogi et al., J. Cutan. Pathol. 26(8): 369-378 (1999), both of which utilize polynucleotides encoding specific regions of a protein to examine these regions within the protein.

III.A.2.) Antisense Embodiments

Other specifically contemplated nucleic acid related embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are genomic DNA, cDNAs, ribozymes, and antisense molecules, as well as nucleic acid molecules based on an alternative backbone, or including alternative bases, whether derived from natural sources or synthesized, and include molecules capable of inhibiting the RNA or protein expression of 121P1F1. For example, antisense molecules can be RNAs or other molecules, including peptide nucleic acids (PNAS) or non-nucleic acid molecules such as phosphorothioate derivatives, that specifically bind DNA or RNA in a base pair-dependent manner. A skilled artisan can readily obtain these classes of nucleic acid molecules using the 121P1F1 polynucleotides and polynucleotide sequences disclosed herein.

Antisense technology entails the administration of exogenous oligonucleotides that bind to a target polynucleotide located within the cells. The term “antisense” refers to the fact that such oligonucleotides are complementary to their intracellular targets, e.g., 121P1F1. See for example, Jack Cohen, Oligodeoxynucleotides, Antisense Inhibitors of Gene Expression, CRC Press, 1989; and Synthesis 1:1-5 (1988). The 121P1F1 antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention include derivatives such as S-oligonucleotides (phosphorothioate derivatives or S-oligos, see, Jack Cohen, supra), which exhibit enhanced cancer-cell growth inhibitory action. S-oligos (nucleoside phosphorothioates) are isoelectronic analogs of an oligonucleotide (O-oligo) in which a nonbridging oxygen atom of the phosphate group is replaced by a sulfur atom. The S-oligos of the present invention can be prepared by treatment of the corresponding O-oligos with 3H-1,2-benzodithiol-3-one-1,1-dioxide, which is a sulfur transfer reagent. See Iyer, R. P. et al, J. Org. Chem. 55:4693-4698 (1990); and Iyer, R. P. et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 112:1253-1254 (1990). Additional 121P1F1 antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention include morpholino antisense oligonucleotides known in the art (see, e.g., Partridge et al., 1996, Antisense & Nucleic Acid Drug Development 6: 169-175).

The 121P1F1 antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention typically can be RNA or DNA that is complementary to and stably hybridizes with the first 100 5′ codons or last 100 3′ codons of the 121P1F1 genomic sequence or the corresponding mRNA. Absolute complementarity is not required, although high degrees of complementarity are preferred. Use of an oligonucleotide complementary to this region allows for the selective hybridization to 121P1F1 mRNA and not to mRNA specifying other regulatory subunits of protein kinase. In one embodiment, 121P1F1 antisense oligonucleotides of the present invention are 15 to 30-mer fragments of the antisense DNA molecule that have a sequence that hybridizes to 121P1F1 mRNA. Optionally, 121P1F1 antisense oligonucleotide is a 30-mer oligonucleotide that is complementary to a region in the first 10 5′ codons or last 10 3′ codons of 121P1F1. Alternatively, the antisense molecules are modified to employ ribozymes in the inhibition of 121P1F1 expression, see, e.g., L. A. Couture & D. T. Stinchcomb; Trends Genet 12: 510-515 (1996).

III.A.3.) Primers and Primer Pairs

Further specific embodiments of this nucleotides of the invention include primers and primer pairs, which allow the specific amplification of polynucleotides of the invention or of any specific parts thereof, and probes that selectively or specifically hybridize to nucleic acid molecules of the invention or to any part thereof. Probes can be labeled with a detectable marker, such as, for example, a radioisotope, fluorescent compound, bioluminescent compound, a chemiluminescent compound, metal chelator or enzyme. Such probes and primers are used to detect the presence of a 121P1F1 polynucleotide in a sample and as a means for detecting a cell expressing a 121P1F1 protein.

Examples of such probes include polypeptides comprising all or part of the human 121P1F1 cDNA sequences shown in FIG. 2. Examples of primer pairs capable of specifically amplifying 121P1F1 mRNAs are also described in the Examples. As will be understood by the skilled artisan, a great many different primers and probes can be prepared based on the sequences provided herein and used effectively to amplify and/or detect a 121P1F1 mRNA.

The 121P1F1 polynucleotides of the invention are useful for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to their use as probes and primers for the amplification and/or detection of the 121P1F1 gene(s), mRNA(s), or fragments thereof; as reagents for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of prostate cancer and other cancers; as coding sequences capable of directing the expression of 121P1F1 polypeptides; as tools for modulating or inhibiting the expression of the 121P1F1 gene(s) and/or translation of the 121P1F1 transcript(s); and as therapeutic agents.

III.A.4.) Isolation of 121P1F1-Encoding Nucleic Acid Molecules

The 121P1F1 cDNA sequences described herein enable the isolation of other polynucleotides encoding 121P1F1 gene product(s), as well as the isolation of polynucleotides encoding 121P1F1 gene product homologs, alternatively spliced isoforms, allelic variants, and mutant forms of the 121P1F1 gene product as well as polynucleotides that encode analogs of 121P1F1-related proteins. Various molecular cloning methods that can be employed to isolate full length cDNAs encoding an 121P1F1 gene are well known (See, for example, Sambrook, J. et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2d edition., Cold Spring Harbor Press, New York, 1989; Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. Ausubel et al., Eds., Wiley and Sons, 1995). For example, lambda phage cloning methodologies can be conveniently employed, using commercially available cloning systems (e.g., Lambda ZAP Express, Stratagene). Phage clones containing 121P1F1 gene cDNAs can be identified by probing with a labeled 121P1F1 cDNA or a fragment thereof. For example, in one embodiment, the 121P1F1 cDNA (FIG. 2) or a portion thereof can be synthesized and used as a probe to retrieve overlapping and full-length cDNAs corresponding to a 121P1F1 gene. The 121P1F1 gene itself can be isolated by screening genomic DNA libraries, bacterial artificial chromosome libraries (BACs), yeast artificial chromosome libraries (YACs), and the like, with 121P1F1 DNA probes or primers.

III.A.5.) Recombinant Nucleic Acid Molecules and Host-Vector Systems

The invention also provides recombinant DNA or RNA molecules containing an 121P1F1 polynucleotide, fragment, analog or homologue thereof, including but not limited to phages, plasmids, phagemids, cosmids, YACs, BACs, as well as various viral and non-viral vectors well known in the art, and cells transformed or transfected with such recombinant DNA or RNA molecules. Methods for generating such molecules are well known (see, for example, Sambrook et al, 1989, supra).

The invention further provides a host-vector system comprising a recombinant DNA molecule containing a 121P1F1 polynucleotide, fragment, analog or homologue thereof within a suitable prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell. Examples of suitable eukaryotic host cells include a yeast cell, a plant cell, or an animal cell, such as a mammalian cell or an insect cell (e.g., a baculovirus-infectible cell such as an Sf9 or HighFive cell). Examples of suitable mammalian cells include various prostate cancer cell lines such as DU145 and TsuPr1, other transfectable or transducible prostate cancer cell lines, primary cells (PrEC), as well as a number of mammalian cells routinely used for the expression of recombinant proteins (e.g., COS, CHO, 293, 293T cells). More particularly, a polynucleotide comprising the coding sequence of 121P1F1 or a fragment, analog or homolog thereof can be used to generate 121P1F1 proteins or fragments thereof using any number of host-vector systems routinely used and widely known in the art.

A wide range of host-vector systems suitable for the expression of 121P1F1 proteins or fragments thereof are available, see for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, supra; Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 1995, supra). Preferred vectors for mammalian expression include but are not limited to pcDNA 3.1 myc-His-tag (Invitrogen) and the retroviral vector pSRαtkneo (Muller et al., 1991, MCB 11: 1785). Using these expression vectors, 121P1F1 can be expressed in several prostate cancer and non-prostate cell lines, including for example 293, 293T, rat-1, NIH 3T3 and TsuPr1. The host-vector systems of the invention are useful for the production of a 121P1F1 protein or fragment thereof. Such host-vector systems can be employed to study the functional properties of 121P1F1 and 121P1F1 mutations or analogs.

Recombinant human 121P1F1 protein or an analog or homolog or fragment thereof can be produced by mammalian cells transfected with a construct encoding a 121P1F1-related nucleotide. For example, 293T cells can be transfected with an expression plasmid encoding 121P1F1 or fragment, analog or homolog thereof, the 121P1F1 or related protein is expressed in the 293T cells, and the recombinant 121P1F1 protein is isolated using standard purification methods (e.g., affinity purification using anti-121P1F1 antibodies). In another embodiment, a 121P1F1 coding sequence is subcloned into the retroviral vector pSRαMSVtkneo and used to infect various mammalian cell lines, such as NIH 3T3, TsuPr1, 293 and rat-1 in order to establish 121P1F1 expressing cell lines. Various other expression systems well known in the art can also be employed. Expression constructs encoding a leader peptide joined in frame to the 121P1F1 coding sequence can be used for the generation of a secreted form of recombinant 121P1F1 protein.

As discussed herein, redundancy in the genetic code permits variation in 121P1F1 gene sequences. In particular, it is known in the art that specific host species often have specific codon preferences, and thus one can adapt the disclosed sequence as preferred for a desired host. For example, preferred analog codon sequences typically have rare codons (i.e., codons having a usage frequency of less than about 20% in known sequences of the desired host) replaced with higher frequency codons. Codon preferences for a specific species are calculated, for example, by utilizing codon usage tables available on the INTERNET such as: http://www.dna.affrc.go.jp/˜nakamura/codon.html.

Additional sequence modifications are known to enhance protein expression in a cellular host. These include elimination of sequences encoding spurious polyadenylation signals, exon/intron splice site signals, transposon-like repeats, and/or other such well-characterized sequences that are deleterious to gene expression. The GC content of the sequence is adjusted to levels average for a given cellular host, as calculated by reference to known genes expressed in the host cell. Where possible, the sequence is modified to avoid predicted hairpin secondary mRNA structures. Other useful modifications include the addition of a translational initiation consensus sequence at the start of the open reading frame, as described in Kozak, Mol. Cell Biol., 9:5073-5080 (1989). Skilled artisans understand that the general rule that eukaryotic ribosomes initiate translation exclusively at the 5′ proximal AUG codon is abrogated only under rare conditions (see, e.g., Kozak PNAS 92(7): 2662-2666, (1995) and Kozak NAR 15(20): 8125-8148 (1987)).

IV.) 121P1F1-Related Proteins

Another aspect of the present invention provides 121P1F1-related proteins. Specific embodiments of 121P1F1 proteins comprise a polypeptide having all or part of the amino acid sequence of human 121P1F1 as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, embodiments of 121P1F1 proteins comprise variant, homolog or analog polypeptides that have alterations in the amino acid sequence of 121P1F1 shown in FIG. 2.

In general, naturally occurring allelic variants of human 121P1F1 share a high degree of structural identity and homology (e.g., 90% or more homology). Typically, allelic variants of the 121P1F1 protein contain conservative amino acid substitutions within the 121P1F1 sequences described herein or contain a substitution of an amino acid from a corresponding position in a homologue of 121P1F1. One class of 121P1F1 allelic variants are proteins that share a high degree of homology with at least a small region of a particular 121P1F1 amino acid sequence, but further contain a radical departure from the sequence, such as a non-conservative substitution, truncation, insertion or frame shift. In comparisons of protein sequences, the terms, similarity, identity, and homology each have a distinct meaning as appreciated in the field of genetics. Moreover, orthology and paralogy can be important concepts describing the relationship of members of a given protein family in one organism to the members of the same family in other organisms.

Amino acid abbreviations are provided in Table II. Conservative amino acid substitutions can frequently be made in a protein without altering either the conformation or the function of the protein. Proteins of the invention can comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15Such changes include substituting any of isoleucine (1), valine (V), and leucine (L) for any other of these hydrophobic amino acids; aspartic acid (D) for glutamic acid (E) and vice versa; glutamine (Q) for asparagine (N) and vice versa; and serine (S) for threonine (T) and vice versa. Other substitutions can also be considered conservative, depending on the environment of the particular amino acid and its role in the three-dimensional structure of the protein. For example, glycine (G) and alanine (A) can frequently be interchangeable, as can alanine (A) and valine (V). Methionine (M), which is relatively hydrophobic, can frequently be interchanged with leucine and isoleucine, and sometimes with valine. Lysine (K) and arginine (R) are frequently interchangeable in locations in which the significant feature of the amino acid residue is its charge and the differing pK's of these two amino acid residues are not significant. Still other changes can be considered “conservative” in particular environments (see, e.g. Table III herein; pages 13-15 “Biochemistry” 2^(nd) ED. Lubert Stryer ed (Stanford University); Henikoff et al., PNAS 1992 Vol 89 10915-10919; Lei et al., J Biol Chem 1995 May 19; 270(20): 11882-6).

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include a wide variety of art-accepted variants or analogs of 121P1F1 proteins such as polypeptides having amino acid insertions, deletions and substitutions. 121P1F1 variants can be made using methods known in the art such as site-directed mutagenesis, alanine scanning, and PCR mutagenesis. Site-directed mutagenesis (Carter et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 13:4331 (1986); Zoller et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 10:6487 (1987)), cassette mutagenesis (Wells et al., Gene, 34:315 (1985)), restriction selection mutagenesis (Wells et al., Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London SerA, 317:415 (1986)) or other known techniques can be performed on the cloned DNA to produce the 121P1F1 variant DNA.

Scanning amino acid analysis can also be employed to identify one or more amino acids along a contiguous sequence that is involved in a specific biological activity such as a protein-protein interaction. Among the preferred scanning amino acids are relatively small, neutral amino acids. Such amino acids include alanine, glycine, serine, and cysteine. Alanine is typically a preferred scanning amino acid among this group because it eliminates the side-chain beyond the beta-carbon and is less likely to alter the main-chain conformation of the variant. Alanine is also typically preferred because it is the most common amino acid. Further, it is frequently found in both buried and exposed positions (Creighton, The Proteins, (W.H. Freeman & Co., N.Y.); Chothia, J. Mol. Biol., 150: 1 (1976)). If alanine substitution does not yield adequate amounts of variant, an isosteric amino acid can be used.

As defined herein, 121P1F1 variants, analogs or homologs, have the distinguishing attribute of having at least one epitope that is “cross reactive” with a 121P1F1 protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. As used in this sentence, “cross reactive” means that an antibody or T cell that specifically binds to an 121P1F1 variant also specifically binds to the 121P1F1 protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. A polypeptide ceases to be a variant of the protein shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 when it no longer contains any epitope capable of being recognized by an antibody or T cell that specifically binds to the 121P1F1 protein. Those skilled in the art understand that antibodies that recognize proteins bind to epitopes of varying size, and a grouping of the order of about four or five amino acids, contiguous or not, is regarded as a typical number of amino acids in a minimal epitope. See, e.g., Nair et al., J. Immunol 2000 165(12): 6949-6955; Hebbes et al., Mol Immunol (1989) 26(9):865-73; Schwartz et al., J Immunol (1985) 135(4):2598-608.

Another class of 121P1F1-related protein variants share 70%, 75%, 80%, 85% or 90% or more similarity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or a fragment thereof. Another specific class of 121P1F1 protein variants or analogs comprise one or more of the 121P1F1 biological motifs described herein or presently known in the art. Thus, encompassed by the present invention are analogs of 121P1F1 fragments (nucleic or amino acid) that have altered functional (e.g. immunogenic) properties relative to the starting fragment. It is to be appreciated that motifs now or which become part of the art are to be applied to the nucleic or amino acid sequences of FIG. 2.

As discussed herein, embodiments of the claimed invention include polypeptides containing less than the 532 amino acid sequence of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2. For example, representative embodiments of the invention comprise peptides/proteins having any 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or more contiguous amino acids of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO: 2).

Moreover, representative embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include polypeptides consisting of about amino acid 1 to about amino acid 10 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polypeptides consisting of about amino acid 10 to about amino acid 20 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polypeptides consisting of about amino acid 20 to about amino acid 30 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polypeptides consisting of about amino acid 30 to about amino acid 40 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polypeptides consisting of about amino acid 40 to about amino acid 50 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polypeptides consisting of about amino acid 50 to about amino acid 60 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polypeptides consisting of about amino acid 60 to about amino acid 70 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polypeptides consisting of about amino acid 70 to about amino acid 80 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polypeptides consisting of about amino acid 80 to about amino acid 90 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, polypeptides consisting of about amino acid 90 to about amino acid 100 of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, etc. throughout the entirety of the 121P1F1 amino acid sequence. Moreover, polypeptides consisting of about amino acid 1 (or 20 or 30 or 40 etc.) to about amino acid 20, (or 130, or 140 or 150 etc.) of the 121P1F1 protein shown in FIG. 2 are embodiments of the invention. It is to be appreciated that the starting and stopping positions in this paragraph refer to the specified position as well as that position plus or minus 5 residues.

121P1F1-related proteins are generated using standard peptide synthesis technology or using chemical cleavage methods well known in the art. Alternatively, recombinant methods can be used to generate nucleic acid molecules that encode a 121P1F1-related protein. In one embodiment, nucleic acid molecules provide a means to generate defined fragments of the 121P1F1 protein (or variants, homologs or analogs thereof).

IV.A.) Motif-Bearing Protein Embodiments Additional illustrative embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include 121P1F1 polypeptides comprising the amino acid residues of one or more of the biological motifs contained within the 121P1F1 polypeptide sequence set forth in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. Various motifs are known in the art, and a protein can be evaluated for the presence of such motifs by a number of publicly available sites (see, e.g.: http://pfam.wustl.edu/; http://searchlauncher.bcm.tmc.edu/seq-search/struc-predict.html http://psort.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp/; http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/; http://www.ebi.ac.uk/interpro/scan.html; http://www.expasy.ch/tools/scnpsitl.html; Epimatrix™ and Epimer™, Brown University, http://www.brown.edu/Research/TB-HIV_Lab/epimatrix/epimatrix.html; and BIMAS, http://bimas.dcrt.nih.gov/.).

Motif bearing subsequences of the 121P1F1 protein are set forth and identified in Table XIX.

Table XX sets forth several frequently occurring motifs based on pfam searches (http://pfam.wustl.edu/). The columns of Table XX list (1) motif name abbreviation, (2) percent identity found amongst the different member of the motif family, (3) motif name or description and (4) most common function; location information is included if the motif is relevant for location.

Polypeptides comprising one or more of the 121P1F1 motifs discussed above are useful in elucidating the specific characteristics of a malignant phenotype in view of the observation that the 121P1F1 motifs discussed above are associated with growth dysregulation and because 121P1F1 is overexpressed in certain cancers (See, e.g., Table 1). Casein kinase II, cAMP and cGMP-dependent protein kinase, and Protein Kinase C, for example, are enzymes known to be associated with the development of the malignant phenotype (see e.g. Chen et al., Lab Invest., 78(2): 165-174 (1998); Gaiddon et al., Endocrinology 136(10): 4331-4338 (1995); Hall et al., Nucleic Acids Research 24(6): 1119-1126 (1996); Peterziel et al., Oncogene 18(46): 6322-6329 (1999) and O'Brian, Oncol. Rep. 5(2): 305-309 (1998)). Moreover, both glycosylation and myristoylation are protein modifications also associated with cancer and cancer progression (see e.g. Dennis et al., Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1473(1):21-34 (1999); Raju et al., Exp. Cell Res. 235(1): 145-154 (1997)). Amidation is another protein modification also associated with cancer and cancer progression (see e.g. Treston et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst. Monogr. (13): 169-175 (1992)).

In another embodiment, proteins of the invention comprise one or more of the immunoreactive epitopes identified in accordance with art-accepted methods, such as the peptides set forth in Tables V-XVIII. CTL epitopes can be determined using specific algorithms to identify peptides within an 121P1F1 protein that are capable of optimally binding to specified HLA alleles (e.g., Table IV (A) and Table IV (B); Epimatrix™ and Epimer™, Brown University, http://www.brown.edu/ResearchaTB-HIV_Lab/epimatrix/epimatrix.html; and BIMAS, http://bimas.dcrt.nih.gov/. Moreover, processes for identifying peptides that have sufficient binding affinity for HLA molecules and which are correlated with being immunogenic epitopes, are well known in the art, and are carried out without undue experimentation. In addition, processes for identifying peptides that are immunogenic epitopes, are well known in the art, and are carried out without undue experimentation either in vitro or in vivo.

Also known in the art are principles for creating analogs of such epitopes in order to modulate immunogenicity. For example, one begins with an epitope that bears a CTL or HTL motif (see, e.g., the HLA Class I motifs or Table IV (A) and the HTL motif of Table IV (B)). The epitope is analoged by substituting out an amino acid at one of the specified positions, and replacing it with another amino acid specified for that position.

A variety of references reflect the art regarding the identification and generation of epitopes in a protein of interest as well as analogs thereof. See, for example, WO 9733602 to Chesnut et al.; Sette, Immunogenetics 1999 50(3-4): 201-212; Sette et al., J. Immunol. 2001 166(2): 1389-1397; Sidney et al., Hum. Immunol. 1997 58(1): 12-20; Kondo et al., Immunogenetics 1997 45(4): 249-258; Sidney et al., J. Immunol. 1996 157(8): 3480-90; and Falk et al., Nature 351: 290-6 (1991); Hunt et al., Science 255:1261-3 (1992); Parker et al., J. Immunol. 149:3580-7 (1992); Parker et al., J. Immunol. 152:163-75 (1994)); Kast et al., 1994 152(8): 3904-12; Borras-Cuesta et al., Hum. Immunol. 2000 61(3): 266-278; Alexander et al., J. Immunol. 2000 164(3); 164(3): 1625-1633; Alexander et al., PMID: 7895164, U1: 95202582; O'Sullivan et al., J. Immunol. 1991 147(8): 2663-2669; Alexander et al., Immunity 1994 1(9): 751-761 and Alexander et al., Immunol. Res. 1998 18(2): 79-92.

Related embodiments of the inventions include polypeptides comprising combinations of the different motifs set forth in Table XIX, and/or, one or more of the predicted CTL epitopes of Table V through Table XVIII, and/or, one or more of the T cell binding motifs known in the art. Preferred embodiments contain no insertions, deletions or substitutions either within the motifs or the intervening sequences of the polypeptides. In addition, embodiments which include a number of either N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid residues on either side of these motifs may be desirable (to, for example, include a greater portion of the polypeptide architecture in which the motif is located). Typically the number of N-terminal and/or C-terminal amino acid residues on either side of a motif is between about 1 to about 100 amino acid residues, preferably 5 to about 50 amino acid residues.

121P1F1-related proteins are embodied in many forms, preferably in isolated form. A purified 121P1F1 protein molecule will be substantially free of other proteins or molecules that impair the binding of 121P1F1 to antibody, T cell or other ligand. The nature and degree of isolation and purification will depend on the intended use. Embodiments of a 121P1F1-related proteins include purified 121P1F1-related proteins and functional, soluble 121P1F1-related proteins. In one embodiment, a functional, soluble 121P1F1 protein or fragment thereof retains the ability to be bound by antibody, T cell or other ligand.

The invention also provides 121P1F1 proteins comprising biologically active fragments of the 121P1F1 amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2. Such proteins exhibit properties of the 121P1F1 protein, such as the ability to elicit the generation of antibodies that specifically bind an epitope associated with the 121P1F1 protein; to be bound by such antibodies; to elicit the activation of HTL or CTL; and/or, to be recognized by HTL or CTL.

121P1F1-related polypeptides that contain particularly interesting structures can be predicted and/or identified using various analytical techniques well known in the art, including, for example, the methods of Chou-Fasman, Garnier-Robson, Kyte-Doolittle, Eisenberg, Karplus-Schultz or Jameson-Wolf analysis, or on the basis of immunogenicity. Fragments that contain such structures are particularly useful in generating subunit-specific anti-121P1F1 antibodies, or T cells or in identifying cellular factors that bind to 121P1F1.

CTL epitopes can be determined using specific algorithms to identify peptides within an 121P1F1 protein that are capable of optimally binding to specified HLA alleles (e.g., Table IV (A) and Table IV (B); Epimatrix™ and Epimer™, Brown University (http://www.brown.edu/Research/TB-HIV_Lab/epimatrix/epimatrix.html); and BIMAS, http://bimas.dcrt.nih.gov/). Illustrating this, peptide epitopes from 121P1F1 that are presented in the context of human MHC class I molecules HLA-A1, A2, A3, A11, A24, B7 and B35 were predicted (Tables V-XVIII). Specifically, the complete amino acid sequence of the 121P1F1 protein was entered into the HLA Peptide Motif Search algorithm found in the Bioinformatics and Molecular Analysis Section (BIMAS) web site listed above. The HLA peptide motif search algorithm was developed by Dr. Ken Parker based on binding of specific peptide sequences in the groove of HLA Class I molecules and specifically HLA-A2 (see, e.g., Falk et al., Nature 351: 290-6 (1991); Hunt et al., Science 255:1261-3 (1992); Parker et al., J. Immunol. 149:3580-7 (1992); Parker et al., J. Immunol. 152:163-75 (1994)). This algorithm allows location and ranking of 8-mer, 9-mer, and 10-mer peptides from a complete protein sequence for predicted binding to HLA-A2 as well as numerous other HLA Class I molecules. Many HLA class I binding peptides are 8-, 9-, 10 or 11-mers. For example, for class I HLA-A2, the epitopes preferably contain a leucine (L) or methionine (M) at position 2 and a valine (V) or leucine (L) at the C-terminus (see, e.g., Parker et al., J. Immunol. 149:3580-7 (1992)). Selected results of 121P1F1 predicted binding peptides are shown in Tables V-XVIII herein. In Tables V-XVIII, the top 50 ranking candidates, 9-mers and 10-mers, for each family member are shown along with their location, the amino acid sequence of each specific peptide, and an estimated binding score. The binding score corresponds to the estimated half-time of dissociation of complexes containing the peptide at 37° C. at pH 6.5. Peptides with the highest binding score are predicted to be the most tightly bound to HLA Class I on the cell surface for the greatest period of time and thus represent the best immunogenic targets for T-cell recognition.

Actual binding of peptides to an HLA allele can be evaluated by stabilization of HLA expression on the antigen-processing defective cell line T2 (see, e.g., Xue et al., Prostate 30:73-8 (1997) and Peshwa et al., Prostate 36:129-38 (1998)). Immunogenicity of specific peptides can be evaluated in vitro by stimulation of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in the presence of antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells.

It is to be appreciated that every epitope predicted by the BIMAS site, Epimer™ and Epimatrix™ sites, or specified by the HLA class I or class I motifs available in the art or which become part of the art such as set forth in Table IV (A) and Table IV (B) are to be “applied” to the 121P1F1 protein. As used in this context “applied” means that the 121P1F1 protein is evaluated, e.g., visually or by computer-based patterns finding methods, as appreciated by those of skill in the relevant art. Every subsequence of the 121P1F1 of 8, 9, 10, or 11 amino acid residues that bears an HLA Class I motif, or a subsequence of 9 or more amino acid residues that bear an HLA Class II motif are within the scope of the invention.

IV.B.) Expression of 121P1F1-Related Proteins

In an embodiment described in the examples that follow, 121P1F1 can be conveniently expressed in cells (such as 293T cells) transfected with a commercially available expression vector such as a CMV-driven expression vector encoding 121P1F1 with a C-terminal 6×His and MYC tag (pcDNA3.1/mycHIS, Invitrogen or Tag5, GenHunter Corporation, Nashville Tenn.). The Tag5 vector provides an IgGK secretion signal that can be used to facilitate the production of a secreted 121P1F1 protein in transfected cells. The secreted HIS-tagged 121P1F1 in the culture media can be purified, e.g., using a nickel column using standard techniques.

IV.C.) Modifications of 121P1F1-Related Proteins

Modifications of 121P1F1-related proteins such as covalent modifications are included within the scope of this invention. One type of covalent modification includes reacting targeted amino acid residues of a 121P1F1 polypeptide with an organic derivatizing agent that is capable of reacting with selected side chains or the N- or C-terminal residues of the 121P1F1. Another type of covalent modification of the 121P1F1 polypeptide included within the scope of this invention comprises altering the native glycosylation pattern of a protein of the invention. Another type of covalent modification of 121P1F1 comprises linking the 121P1F1 polypeptide to one of a variety of nonproteinaceous polymers, e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol, or polyoxyalkylenes, in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,640,835; 4,496,689; 4,301,144; 4,670,417; 4,791,192 or 4,179,337.

The 121P1F1-related proteins of the present invention can also be modified to form a chimeric molecule comprising 121P1F1 fused to another, heterologous polypeptide or amino acid sequence. Such a chimeric molecule can be synthesized chemically or recombinantly. A chimeric molecule can have a protein of the invention fused to another tumor-associated antigen or fragment thereof. Alternatively, a protein in accordance with the invention can comprise a fusion of fragments of the 121P1F1 sequence (amino or nucleic acid) such that a molecule is created that is not, through its length, directly homologous to the amino or nucleic acid sequences respectively of FIG. 2. Such a chimeric molecule can comprise multiples of the same subsequence of 121P1F1. A chimeric molecule can comprise a fusion of a 121P1F1-related protein with a polyhistidine epitope tag, which provides an epitope to which immobilized nickel can selectively bind, with cytokines or with growth factors. The epitope tag is generally placed at the amino- or carboxyl-terminus of the 121P1F1. In an alternative embodiment, the chimeric molecule can comprise a fusion of a 121P1F1-related protein with an immunoglobulin or a particular region of an immunoglobulin. For a bivalent form of the chimeric molecule (also referred to as an “immunoadhesin”), such a fusion could be to the Fc region of an IgG molecule. The Ig fusions preferably include the substitution of a soluble (transmembrane domain deleted or inactivated) form of a 121P1F1 polypeptide in place of at least one variable region within an Ig molecule. In a preferred embodiment, the immunoglobulin fusion includes the hinge, CH2 and CH3, or the hinge, CH1, CH2 and CH3 regions of an IgG1 molecule. For the production of immunoglobulin fusions see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,130 issued Jun. 27, 1995.

IV.D.) Uses of 121P1F1-Related Proteins

The proteins of the invention have a number of different specific uses. As 121P1F1 is highly expressed in prostate and other cancers, 121P1F1-related proteins are used in methods that assess the status of 121P1F1 gene products in normal versus cancerous tissues, thereby elucidating the malignant phenotype. Typically, polypeptides from specific regions of the 121P1F1 protein are used to assess the presence of perturbations (such as deletions, insertions, point mutations etc.) in those regions (such as regions containing one or more motifs). Exemplary assays utilize antibodies or T cells targeting 121P1F1-related proteins comprising the amino acid residues of one or more of the biological motifs contained within the 121P1F1 polypeptide sequence in order to evaluate the characteristics of this region in normal versus cancerous tissues or to elicit an immune response to the epitope. Alternatively, 121P1F1-related proteins that contain the amino acid residues of one or more of the biological motifs in the 121P1F1 protein are used to screen for factors that interact with that region of 121P1F1.

121P1F1 protein fragments/subsequences are particularly useful in generating and characterizing domain-specific antibodies (e.g., antibodies recognizing an extracellular or intracellular epitope of an 121P1F1 protein), for identifying agents or cellular factors that bind to 121P1F1 or a particular structural domain thereof, and in various therapeutic and diagnostic contexts, including but not limited to diagnostic assays, cancer vaccines and methods of preparing such vaccines.

Proteins encoded by the 121P1F1 genes, or by analogs, homologs or fragments thereof, have a variety of uses, including but not limited to generating antibodies and in methods for identifying ligands and other agents and cellular constituents that bind to an 121P1F1 gene product. Antibodies raised against an 121P1F1 protein or fragment thereof are useful in diagnostic and prognostic assays, and imaging methodologies in the management of human cancers characterized by expression of 121P1F1 protein, such as those listed in Table I. Such antibodies can be expressed intracellularly and used in methods of treating patients with such cancers. 121P1F1-related nucleic acids or proteins are also used in generating HTL or CTL responses.

Various immunological assays useful for the detection of 121P1F1 proteins are used, including but not limited to various types of radioimmunoassays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), enzyme-linked immunofluorescent assays (ELIFA), immunocytochemical methods, and the like. Antibodies can be labeled and used as immunological imaging reagents capable of detecting 121P1F1-expressing cells (e.g., in radioscintigraphic imaging methods). 121P1F1 proteins are also particularly useful in generating cancer vaccines, as further described herein.

V.) 121P1F1 Antibodies

Another aspect of the invention provides antibodies that bind to 121P1F1-related proteins. Preferred antibodies specifically bind to a 121P1F1-related protein and do not bind (or bind weakly) to peptides or proteins that are not 121P1F1-related proteins. For example, antibodies bind 121P1F1 can bind 121P1F1-related proteins such as the homologs or analogs thereof.

121P1F1 antibodies of the invention are particularly useful in prostate cancer diagnostic and prognostic assays, and imaging methodologies. Similarly, such antibodies are useful in the treatment, diagnosis, and/or prognosis of other cancers, to the extent 12P1F1 is also expressed or overexpressed in these other cancers. Moreover, intracellularly expressed antibodies (e.g., single chain antibodies) are therapeutically useful in treating cancers in which the expression of 121P1F1 is involved, such as advanced or metastatic prostate cancers.

The invention also provides various immunological assays useful for the detection and quantification of 121P1F1 and mutant 121P1F1-related proteins. Such assays can comprise one or more 121P1F1 antibodies capable of recognizing and binding a 121P1F1-related protein, as appropriate. These assays are performed within various immunological assay formats well known in the art, including but not limited to various types of radioimmunoassays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), enzyme-linked immunofluorescent assays (ELIFA), and the like.

Immunological non-antibody assays of the invention also comprise T cell immunogenicity assays (inhibitory or stimulatory) as well as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding assays.

In addition, immunological imaging methods capable of detecting prostate cancer and other cancers expressing 121P1F1 are also provided by the invention, including but not limited to radioscintigraphic imaging methods using labeled 121P1F1 antibodies. Such assays are clinically useful in the detection, monitoring, and prognosis of 121P1F1 expressing cancers such as prostate cancer.

121P1F1 antibodies are also used in methods for purifying a 121P1F1-related protein and for isolating 121P1F1 homologues and related molecules. For example, a method of purifying a 121P1F1-related protein comprises incubating an 121P1F1 antibody, which has been coupled to a solid matrix, with a lysate or other solution containing a 121P1F1-related protein under conditions that permit the 121P1F1 antibody to bind to the 121P1F1-related protein; washing the solid matrix to eliminate impurities; and eluting the 121P1F1-related protein from the coupled antibody. Other uses of the 121P1F1 antibodies of the invention include generating anti-idiotypic antibodies that mimic the 121P1F1 protein.

Various methods for the preparation of antibodies are well known in the art. For example, antibodies can be prepared by immunizing a suitable mammalian host using a 121P1F1-related protein, peptide, or fragment, in isolated or immunoconjugated form (Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, CSH Press, Eds., Harlow, and Lane (1988); Harlow, Antibodies, Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY (1989)). In addition, fusion proteins of 121P1F1 can also be used, such as a 121P1F1 GST-fusion protein. In a particular embodiment, a GST fusion protein comprising all or most of the amino acid sequence of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 is produced, then used as an immunogen to generate appropriate antibodies. In another embodiment, a 121P1F1-related protein is synthesized and used as an immunogen.

In addition, naked DNA immunization techniques known in the art are used (with or without purified 121P1F1-related protein or 121P1F1 expressing cells) to generate an immune response to the encoded immunogen (for review, see Donnelly et al., 1997, Ann. Rev. Immunol. 15:617-648).

The amino acid sequence of 121P1F1 as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 can be analyzed to select specific regions of the 121P1F1 protein for generating antibodies. For example, hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity analyses of the 121P1F1 amino acid sequence are used to identify hydrophilic regions in the 121P1F1 structure. Regions of the 121P1F1 protein that show immunogenic structure, as well as other regions and domains, can readily be identified using various other methods known in the art, such as Chou-Fasman, Garnier-Robson, Kyte-Doolittle, Eisenberg, Karplus-Schultz or Jameson-Wolf analysis. Thus, each region identified by any of these programs or methods is within the scope of the present invention. Methods for the generation of 121P1F1 antibodies are further illustrated by way of the examples provided herein. Methods for preparing a protein or polypeptide for use as an immunogen are well known in the art. Also well known in the art are methods for preparing immunogenic conjugates of a protein with a carrier, such as BSA, KLH or other carrier protein. In some circumstances, direct conjugation using, for example, carbodiimide reagents are used; in other instances linking reagents such as those supplied by Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, L, are effective. Administration of a 121P1F1 immunogen is often conducted by injection over a suitable time period and with use of a suitable adjuvant, as is understood in the art. During the immunization schedule, titers of antibodies can be taken to determine adequacy of antibody formation.

121P1F1 monoclonal antibodies can be produced by various means well known in the art. For example, immortalized cell lines that secrete a desired monoclonal antibody are prepared using the standard hybridoma technology of Kohler and Milstein or modifications that immortalize antibody-producing B cells, as is generally known. Immortalized cell lines that secrete the desired antibodies are screened by immunoassay in which the antigen is a 121P1F1-related protein. When the appropriate immortalized cell culture is identified, the cells can be expanded and antibodies produced either from in vitro cultures or from ascites fluid.

The antibodies or fragments of the invention can also be produced, by recombinant means. Regions that bind specifically to the desired regions of the 121P1F1 protein can also be produced in the context of chimeric or complementarity determining region (CDR) grafted antibodies of multiple species origin. Humanized or human 121P1F1 antibodies can also be produced, and are preferred for use in therapeutic contexts. Methods for humanizing murine and other non-human antibodies, by substituting one or more of the non-human antibody CDRs for corresponding human antibody sequences, are well known (see for example, Jones et al., 1986, Nature 321: 522-525; Riechmann et al., 1988, Nature 332: 323-327; Verhoeyen et al., 1988, Science 239: 1534-1536). See also, Carter et al., 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 4285 and Sims et al., 1993, J. Immunol. 151: 2296.

Methods for producing fully human monoclonal antibodies include phage display and transgenic methods (for review, see Vaughan et al., 1998, Nature Biotechnology 16: 535-539). Fully human 121P1F1 monoclonal antibodies can be generated using cloning technologies employing large human Ig gene combinatorial libraries (i.e., phage display) (Griffiths and Hoogenboom, Building an in vitro immune system: human antibodies from phage display libraries. In: Protein Engineering of Antibody Molecules for Prophylactic and Therapeutic Applications in Man, Clark, M. (Ed.), Nottingham Academic, pp 45-64 (1993); Burton and Barbas, Human Antibodies from combinatorial libraries. Id., pp 65-82). Fully human 121P1F1 monoclonal antibodies can also be produced using transgenic mice engineered to contain human immunoglobulin gene loci as described in PCT Patent Application WO98/24893, Kucherlapati and Jakobovits et al., published Dec. 3, 1997 (see also, Jakobovits, 1998, Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs 7(4): 607-614; U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,963 issued 19 Dec. 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,584 issued 12 Nov. 2000; and, U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,598 issued 5 Sep. 2000). This method avoids the in vitro manipulation required with phage display technology and efficiently produces high affinity authentic human antibodies.

Reactivity of 121P1F1 antibodies with an 121P1F1-related protein can be established by a number of well known means, including Western blot, immunoprecipitation, ELISA, and FACS analyses using, as appropriate, 121P1F1-related proteins, 121P1F1-expressing cells or extracts thereof. A 121P1F1 antibody or fragment thereof can be labeled with a detectable marker or conjugated to a second molecule. Suitable detectable markers include, but are not limited to, a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, a bioluminescent compound, chemiluminescent compound, a metal chelator or an enzyme. Further, bi-specific antibodies specific for two or more 121P1F1 epitopes are generated using methods generally known in the art. Homodimeric antibodies can also be generated by cross-linking techniques known in the art (e.g., Wolff et al., Cancer Res. 53: 2560-2565).

VI.) 121P1F1 Transgenic Animals

Nucleic acids that encode a 121P1F1-related protein can also be used to generate either transgenic animals or “knock out” animals which, in turn, are useful in the development and screening of therapeutically useful reagents. In accordance with established techniques, cDNA encoding 121P1F1 can be used to clone genomic DNA that encodes 121P1F1. The cloned genomic sequences can then be used to generate transgenic animals containing cells that express DNA that encode 121P1F1. Methods for generating transgenic animals, particularly animals such as mice or rats, have become conventional in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,866 issued 12 Apr. 1988, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,009 issued 26 Sep. 1989. Typically, particular cells would be targeted for 121P1F1 transgene incorporation with tissue-specific enhancers.

Transgenic animals that include a copy of a transgene encoding 121P1F1 can be used to examine the effect of increased expression of DNA that encodes 121P1F1. Such animals can be used as tester animals for reagents thought to confer protection from, for example, pathological conditions associated with its overexpression. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, an animal is treated with a reagent and a reduced incidence of a pathological condition, compared to untreated animals that bear the transgene, would indicate a potential therapeutic intervention for the pathological condition.

Alternatively, non-human homologues of 121P1F1 can be used to construct a 121P1F1 “knock out” animal that has a defective or altered gene encoding 121P1F1 as a result of homologous recombination between the endogenous gene encoding 121P1F1 and altered genomic DNA encoding 121P1F1 introduced into an embryonic cell of the animal. For example, cDNA that encodes 121P1F1 can be used to clone genomic DNA encoding 121P1F1 in accordance with established techniques. A portion of the genomic DNA encoding 121P1F1 can be deleted or replaced with another gene, such as a gene encoding a selectable marker that can be used to monitor integration. Typically, several kilobases of unaltered flanking DNA (both at the 5′ and 3′ ends) are included in the vector (see, e.g., Thomas and Capecchi, Cell 51:503 (1987) for a description of homologous recombination vectors). The vector is introduced into an embryonic stem cell line (e.g., by electroporation) and cells in which the introduced DNA has homologously recombined with the endogenous DNA are selected (see, e.g., L1 et al., Cell, 69:915 (1992)). The selected cells are then injected into a blastocyst of an animal (e.g., a mouse or rat) to form aggregation chimeras (see, e.g., Bradley, in Teratocarcinomas and Embryonic Stem Cells: A Practical Approach, E. J. Robertson, ed. (IRL, Oxford, 1987), pp. 113-152). A chimeric embryo can then be implanted into a suitable pseudopregnant female foster animal, and the embryo brought to term to create a “knock out” animal. Progeny harboring the homologously recombined DNA in their germ cells can be identified by standard techniques and used to breed animals in which all cells of the animal contain the homologously recombined DNA. Knock out animals can be characterized, for example, for their ability to defend against certain pathological conditions or for their development of pathological conditions due to absence of the 121P1F1 polypeptide.

VII.) Methods for the Detection of 121P1F1

Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods for detecting 121P1F1 polynucleotides and 121P1F1-related proteins, as well as methods for identifying a cell that expresses 121P1F1. The expression profile of 121P1F1 makes it a diagnostic marker for metastasized disease. Accordingly, the status of 121P1F1 gene products provides information useful for predicting a variety of factors including susceptibility to advanced stage disease, rate of progression, and/or tumor aggressiveness. As discussed in detail herein, the status of 121P1F1 gene products in patient samples can be analyzed by a variety protocols that are well known in the art including immunohistochemical analysis, the variety of Northern blotting techniques including in situ hybridization, RT-PCR analysis (for example on laser capture micro-dissected samples), Western blot analysis and tissue array analysis.

More particularly, the invention provides assays for the detection of 121P1F1 polynucleotides in a biological sample, such as serum, bone, prostate, and other tissues, urine, semen, cell preparations, and the like. Detectable 121P1F1 polynucleotides include, for example, a 121P1F1 gene or fragment thereof, 121P1F1 mRNA, alternative splice variant 121P1F1 mRNAs, and recombinant DNA or RNA molecules that contain a 121P1F1 polynucleotide. A number of methods for amplifying and/or detecting the presence of 121P1F1 polynucleotides are well known in the art and can be employed in the practice of this aspect of the invention.

In one embodiment, a method for detecting an 121P1F1 mRNA in a biological sample comprises producing cDNA from the sample by reverse transcription using at least one primer; amplifying the cDNA so produced using an 121P1F1 polynucleotides as sense and antisense primers to amplify 121P1F1 cDNAs therein; and detecting the presence of the amplified 121P1F1 cDNA. Optionally, the sequence of the amplified 121P1F1 cDNA can be determined.

In another embodiment, a method of detecting a 121P1F1 gene in a biological sample comprises first isolating genomic DNA from the sample; amplifying the isolated genomic DNA using 121P1F1 polynucleotides as sense and antisense primers; and detecting the presence of the amplified 121P1F1 gene. Any number of appropriate sense and antisense probe combinations can be designed from the nucleotide sequence provided for the 121P1F1 (FIG. 2) and used for this purpose.

The invention also provides assays for detecting the presence of an 121P1F1 protein in a tissue or other biological sample such as serum, semen, bone, prostate, urine, cell preparations, and the like. Methods for detecting a 121P1F1-related protein are also well known and include, for example, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemical analysis, Western blot analysis, molecular binding assays, ELISA, ELIFA and the like. For example, a method of detecting the presence of a 121P1F1-related protein in a biological sample comprises first contacting the sample with a 121P1F1 antibody, a 121P1F1-reactive fragment thereof, or a recombinant protein containing an antigen binding region of a 121P1F1 antibody; and then detecting the binding of 121P1F1-related protein in the sample.

Methods for identifying a cell that expresses 121P1F1 are also within the scope of the invention. In one embodiment, an assay for identifying a cell that expresses a 121P1F1 gene comprises detecting the presence of 121P1F1 mRNA in the cell. Methods for the detection of particular mRNAs in cells are well known and include, for example, hybridization assays using complementary DNA probes (such as in situ hybridization using labeled 121P1F1 riboprobes, Northern blot and related techniques) and various nucleic acid amplification assays (such as RT-PCR using complementary primers specific for 121P1F1 and other amplification type detection methods, such as, for example, branched DNA, SISBA, TMA and the like). Alternatively, an assay for identifying a cell that expresses a 121P1F1 gene comprises detecting the presence of 121P1F1-related protein in the cell or secreted by the cell. Various methods for the detection of proteins are well known in the art and are employed for the detection of 121P1F1-related proteins and cells that express 121P1F1-related proteins.

121P1F1 expression analysis is also useful as a tool for identifying and evaluating agents that modulate 121P1F1 gene expression. For example, 121P1F1 expression is significantly upregulated in prostate cancer, and is expressed in cancers of the tissues listed in Table 1. Identification of a molecule or biological agent that inhibits 121P1F1 expression or over-expression in cancer cells is of therapeutic value. For example, such an agent can be identified by using a screen that quantifies 121P1F1 expression by RT-PCR, nucleic acid hybridization or antibody binding.

VIII.) Methods for Monitoring the Status of 121P1F1-Related Genes and their Products

Oncogenesis is known to be a multistep process where cellular growth becomes progressively dysregulated and cells progress from a normal physiological state to precancerous and then cancerous states (see, e.g., Alers et al., Lab Invest. 77(5): 437-438 (1997) and Isaacs et al., Cancer Surv. 23: 19-32 (1995)). In this context, examining a biological sample for evidence of dysregulated cell growth (such as aberrant 121P1F1 expression in cancers) allows for early detection of such aberrant physiology, before a pathologic state such as cancer has progressed to a stage that therapeutic options are more limited and or the prognosis is worse. In such examinations, the status of 121P1F1 in a biological sample of interest can be compared, for example, to the status of 121P1F1 in a corresponding normal sample (e.g. a sample from that individual or alternatively another individual that is not effected by a pathology). An alteration in the status of 121P1F1 in the biological sample (as compared to the normal sample) provides evidence of dysregulated cellular growth. In addition to using a biological sample that is not effected by a pathology as a normal sample, one can also use a predetermined normative value such as a predetermined normal level of mRNA expression (see, e.g., Grever et al., J. Comp. Neurol. 1996 Dec. 9; 376(2): 306-14 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,501) to compare 121P1F1 status in a sample.

The term “status” in this context is used according to its art accepted meaning and refers to the condition or state of a gene and its products. Typically, skilled artisans use a number of parameters to evaluate the condition or state of a gene and its products. These include, but are not limited to the location of expressed gene products (including the location of 121P1F1 expressing cells) as well as the, level, and biological activity of expressed gene products (such as 121P1F1 mRNA polynucleotides and polypeptides). Typically, an alteration in the status of 121P1F1 comprises a change in the location of 121P1F1 and/or 121P1F1 expressing cells and/or an increase in 121P1F1 mRNA and/or protein expression.

121P1F1 status in a sample can be analyzed by a number of means well known in the art, including without limitation, immunohistochemical analysis, in situ hybridization, RT-PCR analysis on laser capture micro-dissected samples, Western blot analysis, and tissue array analysis. Typical protocols for evaluating the status of the 121P1F1 gene and gene products are found, for example in Ausubul et al. eds., 1995, Current Protocols In Molecular Biology, Units 2 (Northern Blotting), 4 (Southern Blotting), 15 (Immunoblotting) and 18 (PCR Analysis). Thus, the status of 121P1F1 in a biological sample is evaluated by various methods utilized by skilled artisans including, but not limited to genomic Southern analysis (to examine, for example perturbations in the 121P1F1 gene), Northern analysis and/or PCR analysis of 121P1F1 mRNA (to examine, for example alterations in the polynucleotide sequences or expression levels of 121P1F1 mRNAs), and, Western and/or immunohistochemical analysis (to examine, for example alterations in polypeptide sequences, alterations in polypeptide localization within a sample, alterations in expression levels of 121P1F1 proteins and/or associations of 121P1F1 proteins with polypeptide binding partners). Detectable 121P1F1 polynucleotides include, for example, a 121P1F1 gene or fragment thereof, 121P1F1 mRNA, alternative splice variants, 121P1F1 mRNAs, and recombinant DNA or RNA molecules containing a 121P1F1 polynucleotide.

The expression profile of 121P1F1 makes it a diagnostic marker for local and/or metastasized disease, and provides information on the growth or oncogenic potential of a biological sample. In particular, the status of 121P1F1 provides information useful for predicting susceptibility to particular disease stages, progression, and/or tumor aggressiveness. The invention provides methods and assays for determining 121P1F1 status and diagnosing cancers that express 121P1F1 such as cancers of the tissues listed in Table I. For example, because 121P1F1 mRNA is so highly expressed in prostate and other cancers relative to normal prostate tissue, assays that evaluate the levels of 121P1F1 mRNA transcripts or proteins in a biological sample can be used to diagnose a disease associated with 121P1F1 dysregulation, and can provide prognostic information useful in defining appropriate therapeutic options.

The expression status of 121P1F1 provides information including the presence, stage and location of dysplastic, precancerous and cancerous cells, predicting susceptibility to various stages of disease, and/or for gauging tumor aggressiveness. Moreover, the expression profile makes it useful as an imaging reagent for metastasized disease. Consequently, an aspect of the invention is directed to the various molecular prognostic and diagnostic methods for examining the status of 121P1F1 in biological samples such as those from individuals suffering from, or suspected of suffering from a pathology characterized by dysregulated cellular growth, such as cancer.

As described above, the status of 121P1F1 in a biological sample can be examined by a number of well-known procedures in the art. For example, the status of 121P1F1 in a biological sample taken from a specific location in the body can be examined by evaluating the sample for the presence or absence of 121P1F1 expressing cells (e.g. those that express 121P1F1 mRNAs or proteins). This examination can provide evidence of dysregulated cellular growth, for example, when 121P1F1-expressing cells are found in a biological sample that does not normally contain such cells (such as a lymph node), because such alterations in the status of 121P1F1 in a biological sample are often associated with dysregulated cellular growth. Specifically, one indicator of dysregulated cellular growth is the metastases of cancer cells from an organ of origin (such as the prostate) to a different area of the body (such as a lymph node). In this context, evidence of dysregulated cellular growth is important for example because occult lymph node metastases can be detected in a substantial proportion of patients with prostate cancer, and such metastases are associated with known predictors of disease progression (see, e.g., Murphy et al., Prostate 42(4): 315-317 (2000);Su et al., Semin. Surg. Oncol. 18(1): 17-28 (2000) and Freeman et al., J Urol 1995 August 154(2 Pt 1):474-8).

In one aspect, the invention provides methods for monitoring 121P1F1 gene products by determining the status of 121P1F1 gene products expressed by cells from an individual suspected of having a disease associated with dysregulated cell growth (such as hyperplasia or cancer) and then comparing the status so determined to the status of 121P1F1 gene products in a corresponding normal sample. The presence of aberrant 121P1F1 gene products in the test sample relative to the normal sample provides an indication of the presence of dysregulated cell growth within the cells of the individual.

In another aspect, the invention provides assays useful in determining the presence of cancer in an individual, comprising detecting a significant increase in 121P1F1 mRNA or protein expression in a test cell or tissue sample relative to expression levels in the corresponding normal cell or tissue. The presence of 121P1F1 mRNA can, for example, be evaluated in tissue samples including but not limited to those listed in Table 1. The presence of significant 121P1F1 expression in any of these tissues is useful to indicate the emergence, presence and/or severity of a cancer, since the corresponding normal tissues do not express 121P1F1 mRNA or express it at lower levels.

In a related embodiment, 121P1F1 status is determined at the protein level rather than at the nucleic acid level. For example, such a method comprises determining the level of 121P1F1 protein expressed by cells in a test tissue sample and comparing the level so determined to the level of 121P1F1 expressed in a corresponding normal sample. In one embodiment, the presence of 121P1F1 protein is evaluated, for example, using immunohistochemical methods. 121P1F1 antibodies or binding partners capable of detecting 121P1F1 protein expression are used in a variety of assay formats well known in the art for this purpose.

In a further embodiment, one can evaluate the status 121P1F1 nucleotide and amino acid sequences in a biological sample in order to identify perturbations in the structure of these molecules. These perturbations can include insertions, deletions, substitutions and the like. Such evaluations are useful because perturbations in the nucleotide and amino acid sequences are observed in a large number of proteins associated with a growth dysregulated phenotype (see, e.g., Marrogi et al., 1999, J. Cutan. Pathol. 26(8):369-378). For example, a mutation in the sequence of 121P1F1 may be indicative of the presence or promotion of a tumor. Such assays therefore have diagnostic and predictive value where a mutation in 121P1F1 indicates a potential loss of function or increase in tumor growth.

A wide variety of assays for observing perturbations in nucleotide and amino acid sequences are well known in the art. For example, the size and structure of nucleic acid or amino acid sequences of 121P1F1 gene products are observed by the Northern, Southern, Western, PCR and DNA sequencing protocols discussed herein. In addition, other methods for observing perturbations in nucleotide and amino acid sequences such as single strand conformation polymorphism analysis are well known in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,510 issued 7 Sep. 1999, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,170 issued 17 Jan. 1995).

Additionally, one can examine the methylation status of the 121P1F1 gene in a biological sample. Aberrant demethylation and/or hypermethylation of CpG islands in gene 5′ regulatory regions frequently occurs in immortalized and transformed cells, and can result in altered expression of various genes. For example, promoter hypermethylation of the pi-class glutathione S-transferase (a protein expressed in normal prostate but not expressed in >90% of prostate carcinomas) appears to permanently silence transcription of this gene and is the most frequently detected genomic alteration in prostate carcinomas (De Marzo et al., Am. J. Pathol. 155(6): 1985-1992 (1999)). In addition, this alteration is present in at least 70% of cases of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) (Brooks et al, Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., 1998, 7:531-536). In another example, expression of the LAGE-I tumor specific gene (which is not expressed in normal prostate but is expressed in 25-50% of prostate cancers) is induced by deoxy-azacytidine in lymphoblastoid cells, suggesting that tumoral expression is due to demethylation (Lethe et al., Int. J. Cancer 76(6): 903-908 (1998)). A variety of assays for examining methylation status of a gene are well known in the art. For example, one can utilize, in Southern hybridization approaches, methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes which cannot cleave sequences that contain methylated CpG sites to assess the methylation status of CpG islands. In addition, MSP (methylation specific PCR) can rapidly profile the methylation status of all the CpG sites present in a CpG island of a given gene. This procedure involves initial modification of DNA by sodium bisulfite (which will convert all unmethylated cytosines to uracil) followed by amplification using primers specific for methylated versus unmethylated DNA. Protocols involving methylation interference can also be found for example in Current Protocols In Molecular Biology, Unit 12, Frederick M. Ausubul et al. eds., 1995.

Gene amplification is an additional method for assessing the status of 121P1F1. Gene amplification is measured in a sample directly, for example, by conventional Southern blotting or Northern blotting to quantitate the transcription of mRNA (Thomas, 1980, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77:5201-5205), dot blotting (DNA analysis), or in situ hybridization, using an appropriately labeled probe, based on the sequences provided herein. Alternatively, antibodies are employed that recognize specific duplexes, including DNA duplexes, RNA duplexes, and DNA-RNA hybrid duplexes or DNA-protein duplexes. The antibodies in turn are labeled and the assay carried out where the duplex is bound to a surface, so that upon the formation of duplex on the surface, the presence of antibody bound to the duplex can be detected.

Biopsied tissue or peripheral blood can be conveniently assayed for the presence of cancer cells using for example, Northern, dot blot or RT-PCR analysis to detect 121P1F1 expression. The presence of RT-PCR amplifiable 121P1F1 mRNA provides an indication of the presence of cancer. RT-PCR assays are well known in the art. RT-PCR detection assays for tumor cells in peripheral blood are currently being evaluated for use in the diagnosis and management of a number of human solid tumors. In the prostate cancer field, these include RT-PCR assays for the detection of cells expressing PSA and PSM (Verkaik et al., 1997, Urol. Res. 25:373-384; Ghossein et al., 1995, J. Clin. Oncol. 13:1195-2000; Heston et al., 1995, Clin. Chem. 41:1687-1688).

A further aspect of the invention is an assessment of the susceptibility that an individual has for developing cancer. In one embodiment, a method for predicting susceptibility to cancer comprises detecting 121P1F1 mRNA or 121P1F1 protein in a tissue sample, its presence indicating susceptibility to cancer, wherein the degree of 121P1F1 mRNA expression correlates to the degree of susceptibility. In a specific embodiment, the presence of 121P1F1 in prostate or other tissue is examined, with the presence of 121P1F1 in the sample providing an indication of prostate cancer susceptibility (or the emergence or existence of a prostate tumor). Similarly, one can evaluate the integrity 121P1F1 nucleotide and amino acid sequences in a biological sample, in order to identify perturbations in the structure of these molecules such as insertions, deletions, substitutions and the like. The presence of one or more perturbations in 121P1F1 gene products in the sample is an indication of cancer susceptibility (or the emergence or existence of a tumor).

The invention also comprises methods for gauging tumor aggressiveness. In one embodiment, a method for gauging aggressiveness of a tumor comprises determining the level of 121P1F1 mRNA or 121P1F1 protein expressed by tumor cells, comparing the level so determined to the level of 121P1F1 mRNA or 121P1F1 protein expressed in a corresponding normal tissue taken from the same individual or a normal tissue reference sample, wherein the degree of 121P1F1 mRNA or 121P1F1 protein expression in the tumor sample relative to the normal sample indicates the degree of aggressiveness. In a specific embodiment, aggressiveness of a tumor is evaluated by determining the extent to which 121P1F1 is expressed in the tumor cells, with higher expression levels indicating more aggressive tumors. Another embodiment is the evaluation of the integrity of 121P1F1 nucleotide and amino acid sequences in a biological sample, in order to identify perturbations in the structure of these molecules such as insertions, deletions, substitutions and the like. The presence of one or more perturbations indicates more aggressive tumors.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to methods for observing the progression of a malignancy in an individual over time. In one embodiment, methods for observing the progression of a malignancy in an individual over time comprise determining the level of 121P1F1 mRNA or 121P1F1 protein expressed by cells in a sample of the tumor, comparing the level so determined to the level of 121P1F1 mRNA or 121P1F1 protein expressed in an equivalent tissue sample taken from the same individual at a different time, wherein the degree of 121P1F1 mRNA or 121P1F1 protein expression in the tumor sample over time provides information on the progression of the cancer. In a specific embodiment, the progression of a cancer is evaluated by determining 121P1F1 expression in the tumor cells over time, where increased expression over time indicates a progression of the cancer. Also, one can evaluate the integrity 121P1F1 nucleotide and amino acid sequences in a biological sample in order to identify perturbations in the structure of these molecules such as insertions, deletions, substitutions and the like, where the presence of one or more perturbations indicates a progression of the cancer.

The above diagnostic approaches can be combined with any one of a wide variety of prognostic and diagnostic protocols known in the art. For example, another embodiment of the invention is directed to methods for observing a coincidence between the expression of 121P1F1 gene and 121P1F1 gene products (or perturbations in 121P1F1 gene and 121P1F1 gene products) and a factor that is associated with malignancy, as a means for diagnosing and prognosticating the status of a tissue sample. A wide variety of factors associated with malignancy can be utilized, such as the expression of genes associated with malignancy (e.g. PSA, PSCA and PSM expression for prostate cancer etc.) as well as gross cytological observations (see, e.g., Bocking et al., 1984, Anal. Quant. Cytol. 6(2):74-88; Eptsein, 1995, Hum. Pathol. 26(2):223-9; Thorson et al., 1998, Mod. Pathol. 11(6):543-51; Baisden et al., 1999, Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 23(8):918-24). Methods for observing a coincidence between the expression of 121P1F1 gene and 121P1F1 gene products (or perturbations in 121P1F1 gene and 121P1F1 gene products) and another factor that is associated with malignancy are useful, for example, because the presence of a set of specific factors that coincide with disease provides information crucial for diagnosing and prognosticating the status of a tissue sample.

In one embodiment, methods for observing a coincidence between the expression of 121P1F1 gene and 121P1F1 gene products (or perturbations in 121P1F1 gene and 121P1F1 gene products) and another factor associated with malignancy entails detecting the overexpression of 121P1F1 mRNA or protein in a tissue sample, detecting the overexpression of PSA mRNA or protein in a tissue sample (or PSCA or PSM expression), and observing a coincidence of 121P1F1 mRNA or protein and PSA mRNA or protein overexpression (or PSCA or PSM expression). In a specific embodiment, the expression of 121P1F1 and PSA mRNA in prostate tissue is examined, where the coincidence of 121P1F1 and PSA mRNA overexpression in the sample indicates the existence of prostate cancer, prostate cancer susceptibility or the emergence or status of a prostate tumor.

Methods for detecting and quantifying the expression of 121P1F1 mRNA or protein are described herein, and standard nucleic acid and protein detection and quantification technologies are well known in the art. Standard methods for the detection and quantification of 121P1F1 mRNA include in situ hybridization using labeled 121P1F1 riboprobes, Northern blot and related techniques using 121P1F1 polynucleotide probes, RT-PCR analysis using primers specific for 121P1F1, and other amplification type detection methods, such as, for example, branched DNA, SISBA, TMA and the like. In a specific embodiment, semi-quantitative RT-PCR is used to detect and quantify 121P1F1 mRNA expression. Any number of primers capable of amplifying 121P1F1 can be used for this purpose, including but not limited to the various primer sets specifically described herein. In a specific embodiment, polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies specifically reactive with the wild-type 121P1F1 protein can be used in an immunohistochemical assay of biopsied tissue.

IX.) Identifying Molecules that Interact with 121P1F1

The 121P1F1 protein and nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein allow a skilled artisan to identify proteins, small molecules and other agents that interact with 121P1F1 as well as pathways activated by 121P1F1 via any one of a variety of art accepted protocols. For example, one can utilize one of the so-called interaction trap systems (also referred to as the “two-hybrid assay”). In such systems, molecules interact and reconstitute a transcription factor which directs expression of a reporter gene, whereupon the expression of the reporter gene is assayed. Other systems identify protein-protein interactions in vivo through reconstitution of a eukaryotic transcriptional activator, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,955,280 issued 21 Sep. 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,523 issued 20 Jul. 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,722 issued 8 Dec. 1998 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,746 issued 21 Dec. 1999. Algorithms are also available in the art for genome-based predictions of protein function (see, e.g., Marcotte, et al., Nature 402: 4 Nov. 1999, 83-86).

Alternatively one can screen peptide libraries to identify molecules that interact with 121P1F1 protein sequences. In such methods, peptides that bind to a molecule such as 121P1F1 are identified by screening libraries that encode a random or controlled collection of amino acids. Peptides encoded by the libraries are expressed as fusion proteins of bacteriophage coat proteins, the bacteriophage particles are then screened against the protein of interest.

Accordingly, peptides having a wide variety of uses, such as therapeutic, prognostic or diagnostic reagents, are thus identified without any prior information on the structure of the expected ligand or receptor molecule. Typical peptide libraries and screening methods that can be used to identify molecules that interact with 121P1F1 protein sequences are disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,286 issued 3 Mar. 1998 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,731 issued 31 Mar. 1998.

Alternatively, cell lines that express 121P1F1 are used to identify protein-protein interactions mediated by 121P1F1. Such interactions can be examined using immunoprecipitation techniques (see, e.g., Hamilton B J, et al. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 1999, 261:646-51). 121P1F1 protein can be immunoprecipitated from 121P1F1-expressing cell lines using anti-121P1F1 antibodies. Alternatively, antibodies against His-tag can be used in a cell line engineered to express 121P1F1 (vectors mentioned above). The immunoprecipitated complex can be examined for protein association by procedures such as Western blotting, ³⁵S-methionine labeling of proteins, protein microsequencing, silver staining and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Small molecules and ligands that interact with 121P1F1 can be identified through related embodiments of such screening assays. For example, small molecules can be identified that interfere with protein function, including molecules that interfere with 121P1F1 's ability to mediate phosphorylation and de-phosphorylation, interaction with DNA or RNA molecules as an indication of regulation of cell cycles, second messenger signaling or tumorigenesis. Similarly, ligands that regulate 121P1F1 function can be identified based on their ability to bind 121P1F1 and activate a reporter construct. Typical methods are discussed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,868 issued 27 Jul. 1999, and include methods for forming hybrid ligands in which at least one ligand is a small molecule. In an illustrative embodiment, cells engineered to express a fusion protein of 121P1F1 and a DNA-binding protein are used to co-express a fusion protein of a hybrid ligand/small molecule and a cDNA library transcriptional activator protein. The cells further contain a reporter gene, the expression of which is conditioned on the proximity of the first and second fusion proteins to each other, an event that occurs only if the hybrid ligand binds to target sites on both hybrid proteins. Those cells that express the reporter gene are selected and the unknown small molecule or the unknown ligand is identified. This method provides a means of identifying both activators and inhibitors of 121P1F1.

An embodiment of this invention comprises a method of screening for a molecule that interacts with an 121P1F1 amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 (SEQ ID NO: 2), comprising the steps of contacting a population of molecules with the 121P1F1 amino acid sequence, allowing the population of molecules and the 121P1F1 amino acid sequence to interact under conditions that facilitate an interaction, determining the presence of a molecule that interacts with the 121P1F1 amino acid sequence, and then separating molecules that do not interact with the 121P1F1 amino acid sequence from molecules that do. In a specific embodiment, the method further comprises purifying a molecule that interacts with the 121P1F1 amino acid sequence. The identified molecule can be used to modulate a function performed by 121P1F1. In a preferred embodiment, the 121P1F1 amino acid sequence is contacted with a library of peptides.

X.) Therapeutic Methods and Compositions

The identification of 121P1F1 as a protein that is normally expressed in a restricted set of tissues, but which is also expressed in prostate and other cancers, opens a number of therapeutic approaches to the treatment of such cancers. As discussed herein, it is possible that 121P1F1 functions as a transcription factor involved in activating tumor-promoting genes or repressing genes that block tumorigenesis.

Accordingly, therapeutic approaches that inhibit the activity of the 121P1F1 protein are useful for patients suffering a cancer that expresses 121P1F1. These therapeutic approaches generally fall into two classes. One class comprises various methods for inhibiting the binding or association of the 121P1F1 protein with its binding partner or with others proteins. Another class comprises a variety of methods for inhibiting the transcription of the 121P1F1 gene or translation of 121P1F1 mRNA.

X.A.) 121P1F1 as a Target for Antibody-Based Therapy

121P1F1 is an attractive target for antibody-based therapeutic strategies. A number of antibody strategies are known in the art for targeting both extracellular and intracellular molecules (see, e.g., complement and ADCC mediated killing as well as the use of intrabodies). Because 121P1F1 is expressed by cancer cells of various lineages and not by corresponding normal cells, systemic administration of 121P1F1-immunoreactive compositions are prepared that exhibit excellent sensitivity without toxic, non-specific and/or non-target effects caused by binding of the immunoreactive composition to non-target organs and tissues. Antibodies specifically reactive with domains of 121P1F1 are useful to treat 121P1F1-expressing cancers systemically, either as conjugates with a toxin or therapeutic agent, or as naked antibodies capable of inhibiting cell proliferation or function.

121P1F1 antibodies can be introduced into a patient such that the antibody binds to 121P1F1 and modulates a function, such as an interaction with a binding partner, and consequently mediates destruction of the tumor cells and/or inhibits the growth of the tumor cells. Mechanisms by which such antibodies exert a therapeutic effect can include complement-mediated cytolysis, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, modulation of the physiological function of 121P1F1, inhibition of ligand binding or signal transduction pathways, modulation of tumor cell differentiation, alteration of tumor angiogenesis factor profiles, and/or apoptosis.

Those skilled in the art understand that antibodies can be used to specifically target and bind immunogenic molecules such as an immunogenic region of the 121P1F1 sequence shown in FIG. 2. In addition, skilled artisans understand that it is routine to conjugate antibodies to cytotoxic agents. When cytotoxic and/or therapeutic agents are delivered directly to cells, such as by conjugating them to antibodies specific for a molecule expressed by that cell (e.g. 121P1F1), the cytotoxic agent will exert its known biological effect (i.e. cytotoxicity) on those cells.

A wide variety of compositions and methods for using antibody-cytotoxic agent conjugates to kill cells are known in the art. In the context of cancers, typical methods entail administering to an animal having a tumor a biologically effective amount of a conjugate comprising a selected cytotoxic and/or therapeutic agent linked to a targeting agent (e.g. an anti-121P1F1 antibody) that binds to a marker (e.g. 121P1F1) expressed, accessible to binding or localized on the cell surfaces. A typical embodiment is a method of delivering a cytotoxic and/or therapeutic agent to a cell expressing 121P1F1, comprising conjugating the cytotoxic agent to an antibody that immunospecifically binds to a 121P1F1 epitope, and, exposing the cell to the antibody-agent conjugate. Another illustrative embodiment is a method of treating an individual suspected of suffering from metastasized cancer, comprising a step of administering parenterally to said individual a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody conjugated to a cytotoxic and/or therapeutic agent.

Cancer immunotherapy using anti-121P1F1 antibodies can be done in accordance with various approaches that have been successfully employed in the treatment of other types of cancer, including but not limited to colon cancer (Arlen et al., 1998, Crit. Rev. Immunol. 18:133-138), multiple myeloma (Ozaki et al., 1997, Blood 90:3179-3186, Tsunenari et al., 1997, Blood 90:2437-2444), gastric cancer (Kasprzyk et al., 1992, Cancer Res. 52:2771-2776), B-cell lymphoma (Funakoshi et al., 1996, J. Immunother. Emphasis Tumor Immunol. 19:93-101), leukemia (Zhong et al., 1996, Leuk. Res. 20:581-589), colorectal cancer (Moun et al., 1994, Cancer Res. 54:6160-6166; Velders et al., 1995, Cancer Res. 55:4398-4403), and breast cancer (Shepard et al., 1991, J. Clin. Immunol. 11:117-127). Some therapeutic approaches involve conjugation of naked antibody to a toxin, such as the conjugation of Y⁹¹ or I¹³¹ to anti-CD20 antibodies (e.g., Zevalin™, IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corp. or Bexxar™, Coulter Pharmaceuticals), while others involve co-administration of antibodies and other therapeutic agents, such as Herceptin™ (trastuzumab) with paclitaxel (Genentech, Inc.). To treat prostate cancer, for example, 121P1F1 antibodies can be administered in conjunction with radiation, chemotherapy or hormone ablation.

Although 121P1F1 antibody therapy is useful for all stages of cancer, antibody therapy can be particularly appropriate in advanced or metastatic cancers. Treatment with the antibody therapy of the invention is indicated for patients who have received one or more rounds of chemotherapy. Alternatively, antibody therapy of the invention is combined with a chemotherapeutic or radiation regimen for patients who have not received chemotherapeutic treatment. Additionally, antibody therapy can enable the use of reduced dosages of concomitant chemotherapy, particularly for patients who do not tolerate the toxicity of the chemotherapeutic agent very well.

Cancer patients can be evaluated for the presence and level of 121P1F1 expression, preferably using immunohistochemical assessments of tumor tissue, quantitative 121P1F1 imaging, or other techniques that reliably indicate the presence and degree of 121P1F1 expression. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor biopsies or surgical specimens is preferred for this purpose. Methods for immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissues are well known in the art.

Anti-121P1F1 monoclonal antibodies that treat prostate and other cancers include those that initiate a potent immune response against the tumor or those that are directly cytotoxic. In this regard, anti-121P1F1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can elicit tumor cell lysis by either complement-mediated or antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) mechanisms, both of which require an intact Fc portion of the immunoglobulin molecule for interaction with effector cell Fc receptor sites on complement proteins. In addition, anti-121P1F1 mAbs that exert a direct biological effect on tumor growth are useful to treat cancers that express 121P1F1. Mechanisms by which directly cytotoxic mAbs act include: inhibition of cell growth, modulation of cellular differentiation, modulation of tumor angiogenesis factor profiles, and the induction of apoptosis. The mechanism(s) by which a particular anti-121P1F1 mAb exerts an anti-tumor effect is evaluated using any number of in vitro assays that evaluate cell death such as ADCC, ADMMC, complement-mediated cell lysis, and so forth, as is generally known in the art.

In some patients, the use of murine or other non-human monoclonal antibodies, or human/mouse chimeric mAbs can induce moderate to strong immune responses against the non-human antibody. This can result in clearance of the antibody from circulation and reduced efficacy. In the most severe cases, such an immune response can lead to the extensive formation of immune complexes which, potentially, can cause renal failure. Accordingly, preferred monoclonal antibodies used in the therapeutic methods of the invention are those that are either fully human or humanized and that bind specifically to the target 121P1F1 antigen with high affinity but exhibit low or no antigenicity in the patient.

Therapeutic methods of the invention contemplate the administration of single anti-121P1F1 mAbs as well as combinations, or cocktails, of different mAbs. Such mAb cocktails can have certain advantages inasmuch as they contain mAbs that target different epitopes, exploit different effector mechanisms or combine directly cytotoxic mAbs with mAbs that rely on immune effector functionality. Such mAbs in combination can exhibit synergistic therapeutic effects. In addition, anti-121P1F1 mAbs can be administered concomitantly with other therapeutic modalities, including but not limited to various chemotherapeutic agents, androgen-blockers, immune modulators (e.g., IL-2, GM-CSF), surgery or radiation. The anti-121P1F1 mAbs are administered in their “naked” or unconjugated form, or can have a therapeutic agent(s) conjugated to them.

Anti-121P1F1 antibody formulations are administered via any route capable of delivering the antibodies to a tumor cell. Routes of administration include, but are not limited to, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intratumor, intradermal, and the like. Treatment generally involves repeated administration of the anti-121P1F1 antibody preparation, via an acceptable route of administration such as intravenous injection (IV), typically at a dose in the range of about 0.1 to about 10 mg/kg body weight. In general, doses in the range of 10-500 mg mAb per week are effective and well tolerated.

Based on clinical experience with the Herceptin mAb in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, an initial loading dose of approximately 4 mg/kg patient body weight IV, followed by weekly doses of about 2 mg/kg IV of the anti-121P1F1 mAb preparation represents an acceptable dosing regimen. Preferably, the initial loading dose is administered as a 90 minute or longer infusion. The periodic maintenance dose is administered as a 30 minute or longer infusion, provided the initial dose was well tolerated. As appreciated by those of skill in the art, various factors can influence the ideal dose regimen in a particular case. Such factors include, for example, the binding affinity and half life of the Ab or mAbs used, the degree of 121P1F1 expression in the patient, the extent of circulating shed 121P1F1 antigen, the desired steady-state antibody concentration level, frequency of treatment, and the influence of chemotherapeutic or other agents used in combination with the treatment method of the invention, as well as the health status of a particular patient.

Optionally, patients should be evaluated for the levels of 121P1F1 in a given sample (e.g. the levels of circulating 121P1F1 antigen and/or 121P1F1 expressing cells) in order to assist in the determination of the most effective dosing regimen, etc. Such evaluations are also used for monitoring purposes throughout therapy, and are useful to gauge therapeutic success in combination with the evaluation of other parameters (such as serum PSA levels in prostate cancer therapy).

X.B.) Anti-Cancer Vaccines

The invention further provides cancer vaccines comprising a 121P1F1-related protein or 121P1F1-related nucleic acid. In view of the expression of 121P1F1, cancer vaccines prevent and/or treat 121P1F1-expressing cancers without creating non-specific effects on non-target tissues. The use of a tumor antigen in a vaccine that generates humoral and/or cell-mediated immune responses as anti-cancer therapy is well known in the art and has been employed in prostate cancer using human PSMA and rodent PAP immunogens (Hodge et al., 1995, Int. J. Cancer 63:231-237; Fong et al., 1997, J. Immunol. 159:3113-3117).

Genetic immunization methods can be employed to generate prophylactic or therapeutic humoral and cellular immune responses directed against cancer cells expressing 121P1F1. Constructs comprising DNA encoding a 121P1F1-related protein/immunogen and appropriate regulatory sequences can be injected directly into muscle or skin of an individual, such that the cells of the muscle or skin take-up the construct and express the encoded 121P1F1 protein/immunogen. Alternatively, a vaccine comprises a 121P1F1-related protein. Expression of the 121P1F1-related protein immunogen results in the generation of prophylactic or therapeutic humoral and cellular immunity against cells that bear 121P1F1 protein. Various prophylactic and therapeutic genetic immunization techniques known in the art can be used (for review, see information and references published at Internet address www.genweb.com).

Such methods can be readily practiced by employing a 121P1F1-related protein, or an 121P1F1-encoding nucleic acid molecule and recombinant vectors capable of expressing and presenting the 121P1F1 immunogen (which typically comprises a number of antibody or T cell epitopes). Skilled artisans understand that a wide variety of vaccine systems for delivery of immunoreactive epitopes are known in the art (see, e.g., Heryln et al., Ann Med 1999 February 31(1):66-78; Maruyama et al., Cancer Immunol Immunother 2000 June 49(3):123-32) Briefly, such methods of generating an immune response (e.g. humoral and/or cell-mediated) in a mammal, comprise the steps of: exposing the mammal's immune system to an immunoreactive epitope (e.g. an epitope present in the 121P1F1 protein shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or analog or homolog thereof) so that the mammal generates an immune response that is specific for that epitope (e.g. generates antibodies that specifically recognize that epitope). In a preferred method, the 121P1F1 immunogen contains a biological motif.

CTL epitopes can be determined using specific algorithms to identify peptides within 121P1F1 protein that are capable of optimally binding to specified HLA alleles (e.g., Table IV (A) and Table IV (B); Epimer™ and Epimatrix™, Brown University (http://www.brown.edu/Research/TB-HIV_Lab/epimatrix/epimatrix.html); and, BIMAS, (http://bimas.dcrt.nih.gov/). In a preferred embodiment, the 121P1F1 immunogen contains one or more amino acid sequences identified using one of the pertinent analytical techniques well known in the art, such as the sequences shown in Tables V-XVIII or a peptide of 8, 9, 10 or 11 amino acids specified by an HLA Class I motif (e.g., Table IV (A)) and/or a peptide of at least 9 amino acids that comprises an HLA Class II motif (e.g., Table IV (B)). As is appreciated in the art, the HLA Class I binding grove is essentially closed ended so that peptides of only a particular size range can fit into the groove and be bound, generally HLA Class I epitopes are 8, 9, 10, or 11 amino acids long. In contrast, the HLA Class II binding groove is essentially open ended; therefore a of about 9 or more amino acids can be bound by an HLA Class II molecule. Due to the binding groove differences between HLA Class I and II, HLA Class I motifs are length specific, i.e., position two of a Class I motif is the second amino acid in an amino to carboxyl direction of the peptide. The amino acid positions in a Class II motif are relative only to each other, not the overall peptide, i.e., additional amino acids can be attached to the amino and/or carboxyl termini of a motif-bearing sequence. HLA Class II epitopes are often 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25 amino acids long, or longer than 25 amino acids.

A wide variety of methods for generating an immune response in a mammal are known in the art (for example as the first step in the generation of hybridomas). Methods of generating an immune response in a mammal comprise exposing the mammal's immune system to an immunogenic epitope on a protein (e.g. the 121P1F1 protein) so that an immune response is generated. A typical embodiment consists of a method for generating an immune response to 121P1F1 in a host, by contacting the host with a sufficient amount of at least one 121P1F1 B cell or cytotoxic T-cell epitope or analog thereof; and at least one periodic interval thereafter re-contacting the host with the 121P1F1 B cell or cytotoxic T-cell epitope or analog thereof. A specific embodiment consists of a method of generating an immune response against a 121P1F1-related protein or a man-made multiepitopic peptide comprising: administering 121P1F1 immunogen (e.g. the 121P1F1 protein or a peptide fragment thereof, an 121P1F1 fusion protein or analog etc.) in a vaccine preparation to a human or another mammal. Typically, such vaccine preparations further contain a suitable adjuvant (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,635) or a universal helper epitope such as a PADRE™ peptide (Epimmune Inc., San Diego, Calif.; see, e.g., Alexander et al., J. Immunol. 2000 164(3); 164(3): 1625-1633; Alexander et al., Immunity 1994 1(9): 751-761 and Alexander et al., Immunol. Res. 1998 18(2): 79-92). An alternative method comprises generating an immune response in an individual against a 121P1F1 immunogen by: administering in vivo to muscle or skin of the individual's body a DNA molecule that comprises a DNA sequence that encodes an 121P1F1 immunogen, the DNA sequence operatively linked to regulatory sequences which control the expression of the DNA sequence; wherein the DNA molecule is taken up by cells, the DNA sequence is expressed in the cells and an immune response is generated against the immunogen (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,428). The DNA can be dissociated from an infectious agent. Optionally a genetic vaccine facilitator such as anionic lipids; saponins; lectins; estrogenic compounds; hydroxylated lower alkyls; dimethyl sulfoxide; and urea is also administered. Thus, viral gene delivery systems are used to deliver a 121P1F1-related nucleic acid molecule. Various viral gene delivery systems that can be used in the practice of the invention include, but are not limited to, vaccinia, fowlpox, canarypox, adenovirus, influenza, poliovirus, adeno-associated virus, lentivirus, and sindbis virus (Restifo, 1996, Curr. Opin. Immunol. 8:658-663). Non-viral delivery systems can also be employed by introducing naked DNA encoding a 121P1F1-related protein into the patient (e.g., intramuscularly or intradermally) to induce an anti-tumor response. In one embodiment, the full-length human 121P1F1 cDNA is employed. In another embodiment, 121P1F1 nucleic acid molecules encoding specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and/or antibody epitopes are employed.

Various ex vivo strategies can also be employed to generate an immune response. One approach involves the use of antigen presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells to present 121P1F1 antigen to a patient's immune system. Dendritic cells express MHC class I and II molecules, B7 co-stimulator, and IL-12, and are thus highly specialized antigen presenting cells. In prostate cancer, autologous dendritic cells pulsed with peptides of the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) are being used in a Phase I clinical trial to stimulate prostate cancer patients' immune systems (Tjoa et al., 1996, Prostate 28: 65-69; Murphy et al., 1996, Prostate 29: 371-380). Thus, dendritic cells can be used to present 121P1F1 peptides to T cells in the context of MHC class I or II molecules. In one embodiment, autologous dendritic cells are pulsed with 121P1F1 peptides capable of binding to MHC class I and/or class II molecules. In another embodiment, dendritic cells are pulsed with the complete 121P1F1 protein. Yet another embodiment involves engineering the overexpression of the 121P1F1 gene in dendritic cells using various implementing vectors known in the art, such as adenovirus (Arthur et al., 1997, Cancer Gene Ther. 4:17-25), retrovirus (Henderson et al., 1996, Cancer Res. 56:3763-3770), lentivirus, adeno-associated virus, DNA transfection (Ribas et al., 1997, Cancer Res. 57:2865-2869), or tumor-derived RNA transfection (Ashley et al., 1997, J. Exp. Med. 186:1177-1182). Cells that express 121P1F1 can also be engineered to express immune modulators, such as GM-CSF, and used as immunizing agents.

Anti-idiotypic anti-121P1F1 antibodies can also be used in anti-cancer therapy as a vaccine for inducing an immune response to cells expressing a 121P1F1-related protein. In particular, the generation of anti-idiotypic antibodies is well known in the art; this methodology can readily be adapted to generate anti-idiotypic anti-121P1F1 antibodies that mimic an epitope on a 121P1F1-related protein (see, for example, Wagner et al., 1997, Hybridoma 16:33-40; Foon et al., 1995, J. Clin. Invest. 96:334-342; Herlyn et al., 1996, Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 43:65-76). Such an anti-idiotypic antibody can be used in cancer vaccine strategies.

XI.) Inhibition of 121P1F1 Protein Function

The invention includes various methods and compositions for inhibiting the binding of 121P1F1 to its binding partner or its association with other protein(s) as well as methods for inhibiting 121P1F1 function.

XI.A.) Inhibition of 121P1F1 with Intracellular Antibodies

In one approach, a recombinant vector that encodes single chain antibodies that specifically bind to 121P1F1 are introduced into 121P1F1 expressing cells via gene transfer technologies. Accordingly, the encoded single chain anti-121P1F1 antibody is expressed intracellularly, binds to 121P1F1 protein, and thereby inhibits its function. Methods for engineering such intracellular single chain antibodies are well known. Such intracellular antibodies, also known as “intrabodies”, are specifically targeted to a particular compartment within the cell, providing control over where the inhibitory activity of the treatment is focused. This technology has been successfully applied in the art (for review, see Richardson and Marasco, 1995, TIBTECH vol. 13). Intrabodies have been shown to virtually eliminate the expression of otherwise abundant cell surface receptors (see, e.g., Richardson et al., 1995, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 3137-3141; Beerli et al., 1994, J. Biol. Chem. 289: 23931-23936; Deshane et al., 1994, Gene Ther. 1: 332-337).

Single chain antibodies comprise the variable domains of the heavy and light chain joined by a flexible linker polypeptide, and are expressed as a single polypeptide. Optionally, single chain antibodies are expressed as a single chain variable region fragment joined to the light chain constant region. Well-known intracellular trafficking signals are engineered into recombinant polynucleotide vectors encoding such single chain antibodies in order to precisely target the intrabody to the desired intracellular compartment. For example, intrabodies targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are engineered to incorporate a leader peptide and, optionally, a C-terminal ER retention signal, such as the KDEL amino acid motif. Intrabodies intended to exert activity in the nucleus are engineered to include a nuclear localization signal. Lipid moieties are joined to intrabodies in order to tether the intrabody to the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane. Intrabodies can also be targeted to exert function in the cytosol. For example, cytosolic intrabodies are used to sequester factors within the cytosol, thereby preventing them from being transported to their natural cellular destination.

In one embodiment, intrabodies are used to capture 121P1F1 in the nucleus, thereby preventing its activity within the nucleus. Nuclear targeting signals are engineered into such 121P1F1 intrabodies in order to achieve the desired targeting. Such 121P1F1 intrabodies are designed to bind specifically to a particular 121P1F1 domain. In another embodiment, cytosolic intrabodies that specifically bind to the 121P1F1 protein are used to prevent 121P1F1 from gaining access to the nucleus, thereby preventing it from exerting any biological activity within the nucleus (e.g., preventing 121P1F1 from forming transcription complexes with other factors).

In order to specifically direct the expression of such intrabodies to particular cells, the transcription of the intrabody is placed under the regulatory control of an appropriate tumor-specific promoter and/or enhancer. In order to target intrabody expression specifically to prostate, for example, the PSA promoter and/or promoter/enhancer can be utilized (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,652 issued 6 Jul. 1999).

XI.B.) Inhibition of 121P1F1 with Recombinant Proteins

In another approach, recombinant molecules bind to 121P1F1 and thereby inhibit 121P1F1 function. For example, these recombinant molecules prevent or inhibit 121P1F1 from accessing/binding to its binding partner(s) or associating with other protein(s). Such recombinant molecules can, for example, contain the reactive part(s) of a 121P1F1 specific antibody molecule. In a particular embodiment, the 121P1F1 binding domain of a 121P1F1 binding partner is engineered into a dimeric fusion protein, whereby the fusion protein comprises two 121P1F1 ligand binding domains linked to the Fc portion of a human IgG, such as human IgG1. Such IgG portion can contain, for example, the C_(H)2 and C_(H)3 domains and the hinge region, but not the C_(H)1 domain. Such dimeric fusion proteins are administered in soluble form to patients suffering from a cancer associated with the expression of 121P1F1, whereby the dimeric fusion protein specifically binds to 121P1F1 and blocks 121P1F1 interaction with a binding partner. Such dimeric fusion proteins are further combined into multimeric proteins using known antibody linking technologies.

XI.C.) Inhibition of 121P1F1 Transcription or Translation

The present invention also comprises various methods and compositions for inhibiting the transcription of the 121P1F1 gene. Similarly, the invention also provides methods and compositions for inhibiting the translation of 121P1F1 mRNA into protein.

In one approach, a method of inhibiting the transcription of the 121P1F1 gene comprises contacting the 121P1F1 gene with a 121P1F1 antisense polynucleotide. In another approach, a method of inhibiting 121P1F1 mRNA translation comprises contacting the 121P1F1 mRNA with an antisense polynucleotide. In another approach, a 121P1F1 specific ribozyme is used to cleave the 121P1F1 message, thereby inhibiting translation. Such antisense and ribozyme based methods can also be directed to the regulatory regions of the 121P1F1 gene, such as the 121P1F1 promoter and/or enhancer elements. Similarly, proteins capable of inhibiting a 121P1F1 gene transcription factor are used to inhibit 121P1F1 mRNA transcription. The various polynucleotides and compositions useful in the aforementioned methods have been described above. The use of antisense and ribozyme molecules to inhibit transcription and translation is well known in the art.

Other factors that inhibit the transcription of 121P1F1 by interfering with 121P1F1 transcriptional activation are also useful to treat cancers expressing 121P1F1. Similarly, factors that interfere with 121P1F1 processing are useful to treat cancers that express 121P1F1. Cancer treatment methods utilizing such factors are also within the scope of the invention.

XI.D.) General Considerations for Therapeutic Strategies

Gene transfer and gene therapy technologies can be used to deliver therapeutic polynucleotide molecules to tumor cells synthesizing 121P1F1 (i.e., antisense, ribozyme, polynucleotides encoding intrabodies and other 121P1F1 inhibitory molecules). A number of gene therapy approaches are known in the art. Recombinant vectors encoding 121P1F1 antisense polynucleotides, ribozymes, factors capable of interfering with 121P1F1 transcription, and so forth, can be delivered to target tumor cells using such gene therapy approaches.

The above therapeutic approaches can be combined with any one of a wide variety of surgical, chemotherapy or radiation therapy regimens. The therapeutic approaches of the invention can enable the use of reduced dosages of chemotherapy (or other therapies) and/or less frequent administration, an advantage for all patients and particularly for those that do not tolerate the toxicity of the chemotherapeutic agent well.

The anti-tumor activity of a particular composition (e.g., antisense, ribozyme, intrabody), or a combination of such compositions, can be evaluated using various in vitro and in vivo assay systems. In vitro assays that evaluate therapeutic activity include cell growth assays, soft agar assays and other assays indicative of tumor promoting activity, binding assays capable of determining the extent to which a therapeutic composition will inhibit the binding of 121P1F1 to a binding partner, etc.

In vivo, the effect of a 121P1F1 therapeutic composition can be evaluated in a suitable animal model. For example, xenogenic prostate cancer models can be used, wherein human prostate cancer explants or passaged xenograft tissues are introduced into immune compromised animals, such as nude or SCID mice (Klein et al., 1997, Nature Medicine 3: 402-408). For example, PCT Patent Application WO98/16628, Sawyers et al., published Apr. 23, 1998, describes various xenograft models of human prostate cancer capable of recapitulating the development of primary tumors, micrometastasis, and the formation of osteoblastic metastases characteristic of late stage disease. Efficacy can be predicted using assays that measure inhibition of tumor formation, tumor regression or metastasis, and the like. In vivo assays that evaluate the promotion of apoptosis are useful in evaluating therapeutic compositions. In one embodiment, xenografts from tumor bearing mice treated with the therapeutic composition can be examined for the presence of apoptotic foci and compared to untreated control xenograft-bearing mice. The extent to which apoptotic foci are found in the tumors of the treated mice provides an indication of the therapeutic efficacy of the composition.

The therapeutic compositions used in the practice of the foregoing methods can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions comprising a carrier suitable for the desired delivery method. Suitable carriers include any material that when combined with the therapeutic composition retains the anti-tumor function of the therapeutic composition and is generally non-reactive with the patient's immune system. Examples include, but are not limited to, any of a number of standard pharmaceutical carriers such as sterile phosphate buffered saline solutions, bacteriostatic water, and the like (see, generally, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16^(th) Edition, A. Osal., Ed., 1980).

Therapeutic formulations can be solubilized and administered via any route capable of delivering the therapeutic composition to the tumor site. Potentially effective routes of administration include, but are not limited to, intravenous, parenteral, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intratumor, intradermal, intraorgan, orthotopic, and the like. A preferred formulation for intravenous injection comprises the therapeutic composition in a solution of preserved bacteriostatic water, sterile unpreserved water, and/or diluted in polyvinylchloride or polyethylene bags containing 0.9% sterile Sodium Chloride for Injection, USP. Therapeutic protein preparations can be lyophilized and stored as sterile powders, preferably under vacuum, and then reconstituted in bacteriostatic water (containing for example, benzyl alcohol preservative) or in sterile water prior to injection.

Dosages and administration protocols for the treatment of cancers using the foregoing methods will vary with the method and the target cancer, and will generally depend on a number of other factors appreciated in the art.

XII.) Kits

For use in the diagnostic and therapeutic applications described herein, kits are also within the scope of the invention. Such kits can comprise a carrier, package or container that is compartmentalized to receive one or more containers such as vials, tubes, and the like, each of the container(s) comprising one of the separate elements to be used in the method. For example, the container(s) can comprise a probe that is or can be detectably labeled. Such probe can be an antibody or polynucleotide specific for a 121P1F1-related protein or a 121P1F1 gene or message, respectively. Where the method utilizes nucleic acid hybridization to detect the target nucleic acid, the kit can also have containers containing nucleotide(s) for amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence and/or a container comprising a reporter-means, such as a biotin-binding protein, such as avidin or streptavidin, bound to a reporter molecule, such as an enzymatic, florescent, or radioisotope label. The kit can include all or part of the amino acid sequence of FIG. 2 or analogs thereof, or a nucleic acid molecule that encodes such amino acid sequences.

The kit of the invention will typically comprise the container described above and one or more other containers comprising materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for use.

A label can be present on the container to indicate that the composition is used for a specific therapy or non-therapeutic application, and can also indicate directions for either in vivo or in vitro use, such as those described above. Directions and or other information can also be included on an insert which is included with the kit.

[***] has been deposited under the requirements of the Budapest Treaty on with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209 USA, and has been identified as ATCC Accession No. [***].

EXAMPLES

Various aspects of the invention are further described and illustrated by way of the several examples that follow, none of which are intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1 SSH-Generated Isolation of a cDNA Fragment of the 121P1F1 Gene

Materials and Methods

LAPC Xenografts and Human Tissues:

LAPC xenografts were obtained from Dr. Charles Sawyers (UCLA) and generated as described (Klein et al, 1997, Nature Med. 3: 402-408; Craft et al., 1999, Cancer Res. 59: 5030-5036). Androgen dependent and independent LAPC-4 xenografts LAPC-4 AD and AI, respectively) and LAPC-9 AD and AI xenografts were grown in male SCID mice and were passaged as small tissue chunks in recipient males. LAPC-4 and -9 AI xenografts were derived from LAPC-4 or -9 AD tumors, respectively. To generate the AI xenografts, male mice bearing AD tumors were castrated and maintained for 2-3 months. After the tumors re-grew, the tumors were harvested and passaged in castrated males or in female SCID mice.

Cell Lines:

Human cell lines (e.g., HeLa) were obtained from the ATCC and were maintained in DMEM with 5% fetal calf serum.

RNA Isolation:

Tumor tissue and cell lines were homogenized in Trizol reagent (Life Technologies, Gibco BRL) using 10 ml/g tissue or 10 ml/ 10⁸ cells to isolate total RNA. Poly A RNA was purified from total RNA using Qiagen's Oligotex mRNA Mini and Midi kits. Total and mRNA were quantified by spectrophotometric analysis (O.D. 260/280 nm) and analyzed by gel electrophoresis.

Oligonucleotides:

The following HPLC purified oligonucleotides were used. DPNCDN (cDNA synthesis primer): (SEQ ID NO: 7) 5′TTTTGATCAAGCTT₃₀3′ Adaptor 1: (SEQ ID NO: 8) 5′CTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGCTCGAGCGGCCGCCCGGGCAG3′ (SEQ ID NO: 9)                            3′GGCCCGTCCTAG5′ Adaptor 2: (SEQ ID NO: 10) 5′GTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGCAGCGTGGTCGCGGCCGAG3′ (SEQ ID NO: 11)                               3′CGGCTCCTAG5′ PCR primer 1: (SEQ ID NO: 12) 5′CTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGC3′ Nested primer (NP)1: (SEQ ID NO: 13) 5′TCGAGCGGCCGCCCGGGCAGGA3′ Nested primer (NP)2: (SEQ ID NO: 14) 5′AGCGTGGTCGCGGCCGAGGA3′ Suppression Subtractive Hybridization:

Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH) was used to identify cDNAs corresponding to genes that may be differentially expressed in prostate cancer. The SSH reaction utilized cDNA from two LAPC-9 AD xenografts. Specifically, to isolate genes that are involved in the progression of androgen dependent (AD) prostate cancer to androgen independent (AI) cancer, we conducted an experiment with the LAPC-9 AD xenograft in male SCID mice. Mice that harbored LAPC-9 AD xenografts were castrated when the tumors reached a size of 1 cm in diameter. The tumors regressed in size and temporarily stopped producing the androgen dependent protein PSA. Seven to fourteen days post-castration, PSA levels were detectable again in the blood of the mice. Eventually the tumors develop an AI phenotype and start growing again in the castrated males. Tumors were harvested at different time points after castration to identify genes that are turned on or off during the transition to androgen independence.

The gene 121P1F1 was derived from an LAPC-9 AD minus LAPC-9 AD (28 days post-castration) subtraction. The SSH DNA sequence of 254 bp (FIG. 1) is novel and did not exhibit significant homology to any known human genes in public databases.

The cDNA derived from an LAPC-9 AD tumor was used as the source of the “tester” cDNA, while the cDNA from the LAPC-9 AD tumor (28 days post-castration) was used as the source of the “driver” cDNA. Double stranded cDNAs corresponding to tester and driver cDNAs were synthesized from 2 μg of poly(A)⁺ RNA isolated from the relevant xenograft tissue, as described above, using CLONTECH's PCR-Select cDNA Subtraction Kit and 1 ng of oligonucleotide DPNCDN as primer. First- and second-strand synthesis were carried out as described in the Kit's user manual protocol (CLONTECH Protocol No. PT1117-1, Catalog No. K1804-1). The resulting cDNA was digested with Dpn II for 3 hrs at 37° C. Digested cDNA was extracted with phenol/chloroform (1:1) and ethanol precipitated.

Driver cDNA was generated by combining in a 1:1 ratio Dpn 11 digested cDNA from the relevant xenograft source (see above) with a mix of digested cDNAs derived from the human cell lines HeLa, 293, A431, Colo205, and mouse liver.

Tester cDNA was generated by diluting 1 μl of Dpn II digested cDNA from the relevant xenograft source (see above) (400 ng) in 5 μl of water. The diluted cDNA (2 μl, 160 ng) was then ligated to 2 μl of Adaptor 1 and Adaptor 2 (10 μM), in separate ligation reactions, in a total volume of 10 μl at 16° C. overnight, using 400 u of T4 DNA ligase (CLONTECH). Ligation was terminated with 1 μl of 0.2 M EDTA and heating at 72° C. for 5 min.

The first hybridization was performed by adding 1.5 μl (600 ng) of driver cDNA to each of two tubes containing 1.5 μl (20 ng) Adaptor 1- and Adaptor 2-ligated tester cDNA. In a final volume of 4 μl, the samples were overlaid with mineral oil, denatured in an MJ Research thermal cycler at 98° C. for 1.5 minutes, and then were allowed to hybridize for 8 hrs at 68° C. The two hybridizations were then mixed together with an additional 1 μl of fresh denatured driver cDNA and were allowed to hybridize overnight at 68° C. The second hybridization was then diluted in 200 μl of 20 mM Hepes, pH 8.3, 50 mM NaCl, 0.2 mM EDTA, heated at 70° C. for 7 min. and stored at −20° C.

PCR Amplification, Cloning and Sequencing of Gene Fragments Generated from SSH:

To amplify gene fragments resulting from SSH reactions, two PCR amplifications were performed. In the primary PCR reaction 1 μl of the diluted final hybridization mix was added to 1 μl of PCR primer 1 (10 μM), 0.5 μl dNTP mix (10 μM), 2.5 μl 10× reaction buffer (CLONTECH) and 0.5 μl 50× Advantage cDNA polymerase Mix (CLONTECH) in a final volume of 25 μl. PCR 1 was conducted using the following conditions: 75° C. for 5 min., 94° C. for 25 sec., then 27 cycles of 94° C. for 10 sec, 66° C. for 30 sec, 72° C. for 1.5 min. Five separate primary PCR reactions were performed for each experiment. The products were pooled and diluted 1:10 with water. For the secondary PCR reaction, 1 μl from the pooled and diluted primary PCR reaction was added to the same reaction mix as used for PCR 1, except that primers NP1 and NP2 (10 μM) were used instead of PCR primer 1. PCR 2 was performed using 10-12 cycles of 94° C. for 10 sec, 68° C. for 30 sec, and 72° C. for 1.5 minutes. The PCR products were analyzed using 2% agarose gel electrophoresis.

The PCR products were inserted into pCR2.1 using the T/A vector cloning kit (Invitrogen). Transformed E. coli were subjected to blue/white and ampicillin selection. White colonies were picked and arrayed into 96 well plates and were grown in liquid culture overnight. To identify inserts, PCR amplification was performed on 1 ml of bacterial culture using the conditions of PCR1 and NP1 and NP2 as primers. PCR products were analyzed using 2% agarose gel electrophoresis.

Bacterial clones were stored in 20% glycerol in a 96 well format. Plasmid DNA was prepared, sequenced, and subjected to nucleic acid homology searches of the GenBank, dBest, and NCI-CGAP databases.

RT-PCR Expression Analysis:

First strand cDNAs can be generated from 1 μg of mRNA with oligo (dT)12-18 priming using the Gibco-BRL Superscript Preamplification system. The manufacturer's protocol was used which included an incubation for 50 min at 42° C. with reverse transcriptase followed by RNAse H treatment at 37° C. for 20 min. After completing the reaction, the volume can be increased to 200 HI with water prior to normalization. First strand cDNAs from 16 different normal human tissues can be obtained from Clontech.

Normalization of the first strand cDNAs from multiple tissues was performed by using the primers 5′atatcgccgcgctcgtcgtcgacaa3′ (SEQ ID NO: 15) and 5′agccacacgcagctcattgtagaagg 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 16) to amplify β-actin. First strand cDNA (5 μl) were amplified in a total volume of 50 μl containing 0.4 μM primers, 0.2 μM each dNTPs, 1×PCR buffer (Clontech, 10 mM Tris-HCL, 1.5 mM MgCl₂, 50 mM KCl, pH8.3) and 1×Klentaq DNA polymerase (Clontech). Five μl of the PCR reaction can be removed at 18, 20, and 22 cycles and used for agarose gel electrophoresis. PCR was performed using an MJ Research thermal cycler under the following conditions: Initial denaturation can be at 94° C. for 15 sec, followed by a 18, 20, and 22 cycles of 94° C. for 15, 65° C. for 2 min, 72° C. for 5 sec. A final extension at 72° C. was carried out for 2 min. After agarose gel electrophoresis, the band intensities of the 283 b.p. β-actin bands from multiple tissues were compared by visual inspection. Dilution factors for the first strand cDNAs were calculated to result in equal β-actin band intensities in all tissues after 22 cycles of PCR. Three rounds of normalization can be required to achieve equal band intensities in all tissues after 22 cycles of PCR.

To determine expression levels of the 121P1F1 gene, 5 μl of normalized first strand cDNA were analyzed by PCR using 25, 30, and 35 cycles of amplification. Semi-quantitative expression analysis can be achieved by comparing the PCR products at cycle numbers that give light band intensities.

In a typical RT-PCR Expression analysis shown in FIG. 5, RT-PCR expression analysis was performed on first strand cDNAs generated using pools of tissues from multiple samples. The cDNAs were subsequently normalized using beta-actin PCR. Expression was observed in human testis, prostate cancer xenografts, colon cancer tissue pools, lung cancer tissue pools, kidney cancer tissue pools, bladder cancer tissue pools, and prostate cancer tissue pools.

Results

Two SSH experiments described in the Materials and Methods, supra, led to the isolation of numerous candidate gene fragment clones (SSH clones). All candidate clones were sequenced and subjected to homology analysis against all sequences in the major public gene and EST databases in order to provide information on the identity of the corresponding gene and to help guide the decision to analyze a particular gene for differential expression. In general, gene fragments that had no homology to any known sequence in any of the searched databases, and thus considered to represent novel genes, as well as gene fragments showing homology to previously sequenced expressed sequence tags (ESTs), were subjected to differential expression analysis by RT-PCR and/or Northern analysis.

One of the SSH clones comprising about 254 bp, showed significant homology to several ESTs but no homology to any known gene, and was designated 121P1F1.

Example 2 Full Length Cloning of 121P1F1 and Homology Comparison to Known Sequences

To isolate genes that are involved in the progression of androgen dependent (AD) prostate cancer to androgen independent (AI) cancer, we conducted an experiment with the LAPC-4 AD xenograft in male SCID mice. Mice that harbored LAPC-9 AD xenografts were castrated when the tumors reached a size of 1 cm in diameter. The tumors regressed in size and temporarily stopped producing the androgen dependent protein PSA. Seven to fourteen days post-castration, PSA levels were detectable again in the blood of the mice. Eventually the tumors develop an AI phenotype and start growing again in the castrated males. Tumors were harvested at different time points after castration to identify genes that are turned on or off during the transition to androgen independence.

The gene 121P1F1 was derived from an LAPC-9 AD minus LAPC-9 AD (28 days post-castration) subtraction. The SSH DNA sequence of 254 bp (FIG. 1) is novel and did not exhibit significant homology to any known human genes in public databases.

A cDNA (clone A) of 863 bp was isolated from a Human Testis cDNA library, revealing an ORF of 205 amino acids (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). It is probable that 121P1F1 is a cytoplasmic protein based on two topology algorithms (J. Mol. Biol. 2000, 300: 1005 and Bioinformatics, 1998, 14: 378) and based on its homology to Dynactin. However, it is also possible that 121P1F1 is localized in the nucleus based on PSORT analysis (http://psort.nibb.ac.jp:8800/form.html).

Sequence analysis of 121P1F1 reveals highest homology to a mouse putative protein (FIG. 4A). The two proteins are 89% identical over a 202 amino acid region. Also, 121P1F1 shows 40% identity over a 202 amino acid region with the 24.2 kDa hypothetical coiled-coil protein of fission yeast. (FIG. 4B)

The 121P1F1 cDNA was deposited on [***] 2001 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC; Manassas, Va.) as plasmid [***], and has been assigned Accession No. PTA-[***].

Example 3 Expression Analysis of 121P1F1 in Normal Tissues, Cancer Cell Lines and Patient Samples

Expression analysis by RT-PCR demonstrated that 121P1F1 expression is reminiscent of a cancer-testis gene (FIG. 5A). Normal tissue expression is restricted to testis and, to lower extent, it is detected in the thymus and ovary. Analysis of human patient cancer RNA pools shows expression in prostate, kidney, bladder, as well as lung cancers (FIG. 5B).

Extensive Northern blot analysis of 121P1F1 in 16 human normal tissues confirms the expression observed by RT-PCR (FIG. 6). A 1.2 kb transcript is detected in testis and to lower levels in thymus. 121P1F1 expression was also shown in prostate cancer xenografts and in all cancer cell lines tested, such as in prostate (LAPC 4AD, LAPC 4AI, LAPC 9AD, LAPC 9AI, LNCAP, PC-3, DU145 Tsu-Pr1, and LAPC4); bladder (HT1197, SCaBER, UM-UC-3, TCCSUP, J82, 5637), lung (A427, NC1—H82, NC1—H146), kidney (769-P, A-498, CAKI-1, SW 839), pancreas (PANC-1, Bx PC-3, HPAC, Capan-1); colon (SK-CO-1, Caco-2, LoVo, T84, Colo205) and in the cancer cell lines 293T, RD-ES and KCL22.(FIG. 7). These results suggest that 121P1F1 is a testis specific gene that is upregulated in cancers.

Northern blot analysis shows that 121P1F1 is expressed in prostate tumor tissues derived from prostate cancer patients (FIG. 8). It is also expressed in kidney, breast and stomach patient cancer samples (FIG. 9). The expression detected in normal adjacent tissues (isolated from diseased tissues) but not in normal tissues, isolated from healthy donors, indicate that these tissues are not fully normal and that 121P1F1 is expressed in early stage tumors, and thus can be used as a diagnostic target.

Biological Relevance

The expression pattern of 121P1F1 is reminiscent of the cancer-testis antigens. In normal tissues 121P1F1 is only expressed in testis and at lower levels in thymus. Yet high expression is seen in many cancer cell lines and in prostate cancer patients. Accordingly, the expression pattern of 121P1F1 indicates its utility in cancers.

The coding sequence of 121P1F1 has highest homology to a putative mouse protein and a yeast coiled-coil protein and is predicted to be nuclear. Analysis of the protein structure of 121P1F1 using the BCM Search launcher web page (http://searchlauncher.bcm.tmc.edu:9331/seq-search/struc-predict.html) predicted a coiled-coil domain between amino acids 75-150 of 121P1F1. Coiled-coil domains have been identified in proteins such as tubulins, flagellins, G-protein subunits and heat shock proteins (HSP70).

Examples of coiled-coil proteins include the TACC family of proteins (transforming acidic coiled-coil). TACC proteins can localize to centrosomes and interact with microtubules. They have been previously implicated in cancer. Overexpression of TACC1 can transform mouse fibroblasts (Still, 1999 #194; Still, 1999 #193). TACC2 has been identified as a tumor suppressor and its expression shown to be downregulated in breast cancers (Chen, 2000 #195). TACC3 is upregulated in cancer cell lines (Gergely, 2000 #192; Still, 1999 #193). Interestingly, 121P1F1 and TACC3 localize within close distance on chromosome 4q, a genomic region found to be rearranged in certain cancers (Lepretre, 2000 #187; Ellegren, 1993 #191; Gorunova, 1999 #188; Calabrese, 1997 #189; Hou, 1996 #190).

Therapeutic applications for 121P1F1 include use as a small molecule therapy target, and as a vaccine target. Diagnostic applications for 121P1F1 include use as a diagnostic marker for local and/or metastasized disease. 121P1F1 is expressed in the LAPC-4 xenografts which are derived from a lymph-node metastasis of prostate cancer. The restricted expression of 121P1F1 in normal tissues makes it useful as a tumor target for diagnosis and therapy. 121P1F1 expression analysis provides information useful for predicting susceptibility to advanced stage disease, rate of progression, and/or tumor aggressiveness. 121P1F1 expression status in patient samples may be analyzed by: (i) immunohistochemical analysis; (ii) in situ hybridization; (iii) RT-PCR analysis on laser capture micro-dissected samples; (iv) Western blot analysis of clinical samples and cell lines; and, (v) tissue array analysis.

Example 4 Generation of 121P1F1 Polyclonal Antibodies

To generate 121P1F1 immunogen for pAb production, a bacterial glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-fusion protein encoding amino acids 1-114 of the 121P1F1 protein sequence was generated using the pGEX-6P vector (Pharmacia). The fusion protein was purified from induced bacteria using glutathione sepharose chromatography and then proteolytically cleaved to generate a 121P1F1 polypeptide sequence free of GST. The cleavage product was used to generate anti-121P1F1 sera by immunization of rabbits. The resulting rabbit antisera specifically recognized the 121P1F1 antigen, as determined by western blotting (FIG. 10) and had a titer >100,000 as determined by ELISA.

Other recombinant bacterial fusion proteins including maltose binding protein (MBP) and HIS tagged fusion proteins and peptides encoding 121P1F1 protein sequence are also used as immunogens. Specificity of antisera is tested by Western blot and immunoprecipitation analyses using lysates of cells expressing 121P1F1. Serum from rabbits immunized with GST or MBP fusion proteins is semi-purified by removal of anti-GST or anti-MBP antibodies by passage over GST and MBP protein columns respectively. Sera derived from His-tag fusions and peptide immunogens and depleted GST and MBP sera are purified by affinity chromatography using the respective immunogen covalently coupled to Affigel matrix (BioRad). Purified anti-121P1F1 pAbs are used for expression and functional analysis of 122P1F1 protein in cells and tissues.

Example 5 Production of Recombinant 121P1F1 in Bacterial and Mammalian Systems

Bacterial Constructs

pGEX Constructs

To express 121P1F1 in bacterial cells, portions of 121P1F1 were fused to the Glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene by cloning into pGEX-6P-1 (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, N.J.). The constructs were made in order to generate recombinant 121P1F1 protein sequences with GST fused at the N-terminus and a six histidine epitope at the C-terminus. The six histidine epitope tag was generated by adding the histidine codons to the cloning primer at the 3′ end of the open reading frame (ORF). A PreScission™ recognition site permitted cleavage of the GST tag from 121P1F1-related protein. The ampicillin resistance gene and pBR322 origin permitted selection and maintenance of the plasmid in E. coli. For example, cDNA encoding the 121P1F1 protein amino acids 1 to 205 was cloned into pGEX-6P-1. Additionally, cDNA encoding the following fragments of 121P1F1 protein are cloned into pGEX-6P-1: any 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 contiguous amino acids from 121P1F1 or an analog thereof.

pMAL Constructs

To express 121P1F1 in bacterial cells, all or part of the 121P1F1 nucleic acid sequence are fused to the maltose-binding protein (MBP) gene by cloning into pMAL-c2X and pMAL-p2X (New England Biolabs, Mass.). The constructs are made to generate recombinant 121P1F1 protein sequences with MBP fused at the N-terminus and a six histidine epitope at the C-terminus. The six histidine epitope tag is generated by adding the histidine codons to the 3′ cloning primer. A Factor Xa recognition site permits cleavage of the GST tag from 121P1F1. The pMAL-c2X and pMAL-p2X vectors are optimized to express the recombinant protein in the cytoplasm or periplasm respectively. Periplasm expression enhances folding of proteins with disulfide bonds. For example, cDNA encoding the following fragments of 121P1F1 protein are cloned into pMAL-c2X or pMAL-p2X: amino acids 1 to 205; or any 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 contiguous amino acids from 121P1F1 or an analog thereof.

pCRII

To generate 121P1F1 sense and anti-sense riboprobes for RNA in situ investigations, a pCRII construct (Invitrogen, Carlsbad Calif.) was generated using cDNA sequence encoding amino acids 44-181. The pCRII vector has Sp6 and T7 promoters flanking the insert to drive the production of 121P1F1 RNA riboprobes which will be used in RNA in situ hybridization experiments.

Mammalian Constructs

To express recombinant 121P1F1, the full or partial length 121P1F1 cDNA can be cloned into any one of a variety of expression vectors known in the art. The constructs can be transfected into any one of a wide variety of mammalian cells such as 293T cells. Transfected 293T cell lysates can be probed with the anti-121P1F1 polyclonal serum, described in Example 4 above, in a Western blot.

The 121P1F1 genes can also be subcloned into the retroviral expression vector pSRαMSVtkneo and used to establish 121P1F1-expressing cell lines as follows: The 121P1F1 coding sequence (from translation initiation ATG and Kozak translation start consensus sequence to the termination codons) is amplified by PCR using ds cDNA template from 121P1F1 cDNA. The PCR product is subcloned into pSRαMSVtkneo vector and transformed into DH5α competent cells. Colonies are picked to screen for clones with unique internal restriction sites on the cDNA. The positive clone is confirmed by sequencing of the cDNA insert. The retroviral vectors can thereafter be used for infection and generation of various cell lines using, for example, NIH 3T3, TsuPr1, 293 or rat-1 cells.

Additional illustrative mammalian and bacterial systems are discussed below.

pcDNA4/HisMax-TOPO Constructs

To express 121P1F1 in mammalian cells, the 121P1F1 ORF is cloned into pcDNA4/HisMax-TOPO Version A (cat# K864-20, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Protein expression is driven from the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter and the SP163 translational enhancer. The recombinant protein has Xpress™ and six histidine epitopes fused to the N-terminus to aid in detection and purification of the recombinant protein. The pcDNA4/HisMax-TOPO vector also contains the bovine growth hormone (BGH) polyadenylation signal and transcription termination sequence to enhance mRNA stability along with the SV40 origin for episomal replication and simple vector rescue in cell lines expressing the large T antigen. The Zeocin resistance gene allows for selection of mammalian cells expressing the protein and the ampicillin resistance gene and ColE1 origin permits selection and maintenance of the plasmid in E. coli.

pcDNA3.1/MycHis Constructs

To express 121P1F1 in mammalian cells, the ORF with consensus Kozak translation initiation site was cloned into pcDNA3.1/MycHis_Version A (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Protein expression was driven from the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. The recombinant protein had the myc epitope and six histidines fused to the C-terminus to aid in detection and purification of the recombinant protein. The pcDNA3.1/MycHis vector also contained the bovine growth hormone (BGH) polyadenylation signal and transcription termination sequence to enhance mRNA stability, along with the SV40 origin for episomal replication and simple vector rescue in cell lines expressing the large T antigen. The Neomycin resistance gene allowed for selection of mammalian cells expressing the protein and the ampicillin resistance gene and ColE1 origin permitted selection and maintenance of the plasmid in E. coli.

pcDNA3.1/V5His-TOPO Constructs

To express 121P1F1 in mammalian cells, the cDNA encoding the 121P1F1 ORF and Kozak consensus translation initiation sequence was cloned into pcDNA4/V5His-TOPO (cat# K4800-01, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Protein expression was driven from the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. The recombinant protein has V₅™ and six histidine epitopes fused at the C-terminus to aid in detection and purification of the recombinant protein. The pcDNA4N5His-TOPO vector also contained the bovine growth hormone (BGH) polyadenylation signal and transcription termination sequence to enhance mRNA stability, along with the SV40 origin for episomal replication and simple vector rescue in cell lines expressing the large T antigen. The Zeocin resistance gene allowed for selection of mammalian cells expressing the protein and the ampicillin resistance gene and ColE1 origin permitted selection and maintenance of the plasmid in E. coli.

pcDNA3.1CT-GFP-TOPO Construct

To express 121P1F1 in mammalian cells and to allow detection of the recombinant protein using fluorescence, the ORF with consensus Kozak translation initiation site is cloned into pcDNA3.1CT-GFP-TOPO (Invitrogen, Calif.). Protein expression is driven from the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. The recombinant protein has the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) fused to the C-terminus facilitating non-invasive, in vivo detection and cell biology studies. The pcDNA3.1/MycHis vector also contains the bovine growth hormone (BGH) polyadenylation signal and transcription termination sequence to enhance mRNA stability along with the SV40 origin for episomal replication and simple vector rescue in cell lines expressing the large T antigen. The Neomycin resistance gene allows for selection of mammalian cells that express the protein, and the ampicillin resistance gene and ColE1 origin permits selection and maintenance of the plasmid in E. coli. An additional construct with a N-terminal GFP fusion is made in pcDNA3.1NT-GFP-TOPO spanning the entire length of the 121P1F1 protein.

pAPtag Constructs

The cDNA encoding 121P1F1 is cloned into pAPtag-5 (GenHunter Corp. Nashville, Tenn.). This construct generates an alkaline phosphatase fusion at the C-terminus of the 121P1F1 protein while fusing the IgGK signal sequence to N-terminus. The resulting recombinant 121P1F1 protein is optimized for secretion into the media of transfected mammalian cells and can be used to identify proteins such as ligands or receptors that interact with the 121P1F1 protein. Protein expression is driven from the CMV promoter and the recombinant protein also contains myc and six histidines fused to the C-terminus of alkaline phosphatase to aid in detection and purification of the recombinant protein. The Zeosin resistance gene allows for selection of mammalian cells expressing the protein and the ampicillin resistance gene permits selection of the plasmid in E. coli.

ptag5 Constructs

The cDNA encoding for 121P1F1 is cloned into pTag-5. This vector is similar to pAPtag but without the alkaline phosphatase fusion. This construct generates an immunoglobulin G1 Fc fusion at the C-terminus of the 121P1F1 protein while fusing the IgGK signal sequence to the N-terminus. The resulting recombinant 121P1F1 protein is optimized for secretion into the media of transfected mammalian cells, and can be used to identify proteins such as ligands or receptors that interact with the 121P1F1 protein. Protein expression is driven from the CMV promoter and the recombinant protein also contains myc and six histidines fused to the C-terminus to aid in detection and purification of the recombinant protein. The Zeocin resistance gene allows for selection of mammalian cells expressing the protein, and the ampicillin resistance gene permits selection of the plasmid in E. coli.

psecFc Constructs

The cDNA encoding for 121P1F1 is cloned into psecFc. The psecFc vector was assembled by cloning immunoglobulin G1 Fc (hinge, CH2, CH3 regions) into pSecTag2 (Invitrogen, California). This construct generates an immunoglobulin G1 Fc fusion at the C-terminus of the 121P1F1 protein, while fusing the IgGK signal sequence to N-terminus. The resulting recombinant 121P1F1 protein is optimized for secretion into the media of transfected mammalian cells, and can be used to identify proteins such as ligands or receptors that interact with the 121P1F1 protein. Protein expression is driven from the CMV promoter. The Zeocin resistance gene allows for selection of mammalian cells that express the protein, and the ampicillin resistance gene permits selection of the plasmid in E. coli.

pSRαConstructs

To generate mammalian cell lines that express 121P1F1 constitutively, the ORF is cloned into pSRα constructs. Amphotropic and ecotropic retroviruses are generated by transfection of pSRα constructs into the 293T-10A1 packaging line or co-transfection of pSRα and a helper plasmid (φ˜) in the 293 cells, respectively. The retrovirus can be used to infect a variety of mammalian cell lines, resulting in the integration of the cloned gene, 121P1F1, into the host cell-lines. Protein expression is driven from a long terminal repeat (LTR). The Neomycin resistance gene allows for selection of mammalian cells that express the protein, and the ampicillin resistance gene and ColE1 origin permit selection and maintenance of the plasmid in E. coli.

An additional pSRα construct is made that fuse the FLAG tag to the C-terminus to allow detection using anti-FLAG antibodies. The FLAG sequence 5′ gat tac aag gat gac gac gat aag 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 6) is added to cloning primer at the 3′ end of the ORF.

Additional pSRα constructs are made to produce both N-terminal and C-terminal GFP and myc/6 HIS fusion proteins of the full-length 121P1F1 protein.

Example 6 Production of Recombinant 121P1F1 in a Baculovirus System

To generate a recombinant 121P1F1 protein in a baculovirus expression system, cDNA sequence encoding the 121P1F1 protein is cloned into the baculovirus transfer vector pBlueBac 4.5 (Invitrogen), which provides a His-tag at the N-terminus Specifically, pBlueBac—121P1F1 is co-transfected with helper plasmid pBac-N-Blue (Invitrogen) into SF9 (Spodoptera frugiperda) insect cells to generate recombinant baculovirus (see Invitrogen instruction manual for details). Baculovirus is then collected from cell supernatant and purified by plaque assay.

Recombinant 121P1F1 protein is then generated by infection of HighFive insect cells (Invitrogen) with the purified baculovirus. Recombinant 121P1F1 protein can be detected using anti-121P1F1 antibody. 121P1F1 protein can be purified and used in various cell-based assays or as immunogen to generate polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies specific for 121P1F1.

Example 7 Chromosomal Mapping of the 121P1F1 Gene

The chromosomal localization of 121P1F1 was determined using the NCBI Human Genome web site (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/seq/page.cgi?F=HsBlast.html&&ORG=Hs). The mapping program placed 121P1F1 on chromosome 4c a genomic region which has been found to be rearranged in certain cancers (between NT_(—)022999 and NT 022757). For instance, the gene TACC3, known to be upregulated in human cancer cells, localizes within the same region as 121P1F1 on chromosome 4q (Lepretre, 2000 #187; Ellegren, 1993 #191; Gorunova, 1999 #188; Calabrese, 1997 #189; Hou, 1996 #190).

Example 8 Identification of Potential Signal Transduction Pathways

Steroid hormone receptors are involved in the activation of several signaling pathways that regulate cell growth and differentiation (Peterziel H et al, Oncogene. 1999, 18: 6322). Using immunoprecipitation and Western blotting techniques, we can identify proteins that associate with 121P1F1 and mediate signaling events. Several pathways including phospholipid pathways, such as P13K, AKT, etc, as well as mitogenic/survival cascades such as ERK, p38, etc (Cell Growth Differ. 2000, 11: 279; J. Biol. Chem. 1999, 274: 801; Oncogene 2000, 19: 3003.) are studied in 121P1F1 expressing cells and compared to those in 121P1F1-negative cells. Signaling pathways activated by 121P1F1 are mapped and used for the identification and validation of therapeutic targets in the 121P1F1 pathway. When 121P1F1 mediates signaling events, 121P1F1 is used as a target for diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic purposes.

Luciferase (luc) based transcriptional reporter assays are carried out in cells lacking or expressing 121P1F1. These transcriptional reporters contain consensus binding sites for known transcription factors that lie downstream of well-characterized signal transduction pathways. The reporters and examples of these associated transcription factors, signal transduction pathways, and activation stimuli are listed below.

-   1. NFkB-luc, NFkB/Rel; Ik-kinase/SAPK; growth/apoptosis/stress -   2. SRE-luc, SRF/TCF/ELK1; MAPK/SAPK; growth/differentiation -   3. AP-1-luc, FOS/JUN; MAPK/SAPK/PKC;growth/apoptosis/stress -   4. ARE-luc, androgen receptor; steroids/MAPK;     growth/differentiation/apoptosis -   5. p53-luc, p53; SAPK; growth/differentiation/apoptosis -   6. CRE-luc, CREB/ATF2; PKA/p38; growth/apoptosis/stress

121P1F1-mediated effects can be assayed in cells showing mRNA expression. Luciferase reporter plasmids can be introduced by lipid-mediated transfection (TFX-50, Promega). Luciferase activity, an indicator of relative transcriptional activity, is measured by incubation of cell extracts with luciferin substrate and luminescence of the reaction is monitored in a luminometer.

In addition to downstream signaling, 121P1F1 can regulate signaling cascades by associating with transcriptional activators, such as Fos and Jun (Gottlicher M et al, J Mol Med. 1998, 76: 48). 121P1F1 is immunoprecipitated from whole cell lysates and association with transcription factors is detected by western blotting. When 121P1F1 associates with transcription factor, 121P1F1 is used as a target for preventative and therapeutic purposes.

Example 9 Generation of 121P1F1 Monoclonal Antibodies

To generate MAbs to 121P1F1, BALB/c mice are immunized intraperitoneally with 10-50 μg of protein immunogen mixed in complete Freund's adjuvant. Protein immunogens include peptides and bacteria- and baculovirus-produced recombinant 121P1F1 proteins and mammalian expressed murine or human IgG FC fusion proteins. Mice are then subsequently immunized every 2-4 weeks with 10-50 μg of antigen mixed in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Alternatively, Ribi adjuvant is used for initial immunizations.

In addition, a DNA-based immunization protocol is used in which a mammalian expression vector such as pcDNA 3.1 that encodes 121P1F1 cDNA alone or as an IgG FC fusion is used to immunize mice by direct injection of the plasmid DNA. This protocol is used alone and in combination with protein immunogens. Test bleeds are taken 7-10 days following immunization, to monitor titer and specificity of the immune response. Once appropriate reactivity and specificity is obtained as determined by ELISA, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation analyses, fusion and hybridoma generation is then carried with established procedures well known in the art (Harlow and Lane, 1988).

Example 10 Involvement of 121P1F1 in Invasion and Metastasis

121P1F1 contributes to the growth of prostate, colon, kidney, bladder or lung cancer cells. Two sets of experiments evaluate this function. In the first set of experiments, PC3 cells engineered to stably express 121P1F1 are evaluated for cell growth potential. In a second set of experiments, NIH3T3 fibroblasts are engineered to express 121P1F1, and are evaluated for proliferation using a well-documented colorimetric assay (Johnson D E, et al, Anticancer Drugs. 1996, 7:288). In both cases, 121P1F1-expressing cells are compared to cells lacking 121P1F1 under resting and activating conditions.

When 121P1F1 contributes to the growth of prostate cancer and other tumor cells, 121P1F1 is used as a target for diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic purposes.

In parallel to proliferation assays, the role of 121P1F1 in transformation can be evaluated. NIH3T3 cells engineered to express 121P1F1 are compared to parental 121P1F1-negative cells for their ability to form colonies in soft agar (Song Z. et al. Cancer Res. 2000; 60:6730). This experiment measures the transforming capability of 121P1F1 and provides key information regarding the role of 121P1F1 in tumorigenesis.

When 121P1F1 contributes to cell transformation, 121P1F1 is used as a target for diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic purposes.

Based on the similarity of 121P1F1 to dynactin, it is possible that 121P1F1 induces the motility of cancer cells. The role of 121P1F1 in invasion and chemotaxis of cancer cell lines can be studied using the well-established Transwell Insert System™ (Becton Dickinson) assays (see, e.g., Cancer Res. 1999; 59: 6010). Cells lacking 121P1F1 and cells expressing 121P1F1 are loaded with the fluorescent dye, calcein, and plated in the top well of the Transwell insert. Motility is determined by fluorescence of cells in the lower chamber relative to the fluorescence of the entire cell population.

When 121P1F1 regulates cell motility, 121P1F1 is used as a target for diagnostic, preventative, prognostic and therapeutic purposes.

Example 11 In Vivo Assay for 121P1F1 Tumor Growth Promotion

The effect of the 121P1F1 protein on tumor cell growth can be evaluated in vivo by gene overexpression in tumor-bearing mice. For example, SCID mice can be injected SQ on each flank with 1×10⁶ of either PC3, TSUPR1, or DU145 cells containing tkNeo empty vector or 121P1F1. At least two strategies may be used: (I) Constitutive 121P1F1 expression under regulation of a promoter such as a constitutive promoter obtained from the genomes of viruses such as polyoma virus, fowlpox virus (UK 2,211,504 published 5 Jul. 1989), adenovirus (such as Adenovirus 2), bovine papilloma virus, avian sarcoma virus, cytomegalovirus, a retrovirus, hepatitis-B virus and Simian Virus 40 (SV40), or from heterologous mammalian promoters, e.g., the actin promoter or an immunoglobulin promoter, provided such promoters are compatible with the host cell systems. (2) Regulated expression under control of an inducible vector system, such as ecdysone, tet, etc., can be used provided such promoters are compatible with the host cell systems. Tumor volume is then monitored at the appearance of palpable tumors and is followed over time to determine if 121P1F1-expressing cells grow at a faster rate and whether tumors produced by 121P1F1-expressing cells demonstrate characteristics of altered aggressiveness (e.g. enhanced metastasis, vascularizationi, reduced responsiveness to chemotherapeutic drugs). Additionally, mice can be implanted with 1×10⁵ of the same cells orthotopically to determine if 121P1F1 has an effect on local growth in the prostate or on the ability of the cells to metastasize, specifically to lungs, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. Also see Saffran et al, “Anti-PSCA mAbs inhibit tumor growth and metastasis formation and prolong the survival of mice bearing human prostate cancer xenografts” PNAS 10:1073-1078 or www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.051624698.

The assay is also useful to determine the 121P1F1 inhibitory effect of candidate therapeutic compositions, such as for example, 121P1F1 intrabodies, 121P1F1 antisense molecules and ribozymes.

Example 12 Western Analysis of 121P1F1 Expression in Subcellular Fractions

The cellular location of 121P1F1 can be assessed using subcellular fractionation techniques widely used in cellular biology (Storrie B, et al. Methods Enzymol. 1990; 182:203-25). Prostate or other cell lines can be separated into nuclear, cytosolic and membrane fractions. The expression of 121P1F1 in the different fractions can be tested using western blotting techniques.

Alternatively, to determine the subcellular localization of 121P1F1, 293T cells can be transfected with an expression vector encoding HIS-tagged 121P1F1 (PCDNA 3.1 MYC/HIS, Invitrogen). The transfected cells can be harvested and subjected to a differential subcellular fractionation protocol as previously described (Pemberton, P. A. et al, 1997, J of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, 45:1697-1706.) This protocol separates the cell into fractions enriched for nuclei, heavy membranes (lysosomes, peroxisomes, and mitochondria), light membranes (plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum), and soluble proteins.

Example 13 Physiologic Localization 121P1F1

The 121P1F1 protein shows 89% identity and 93% homology to a 205 amino acid putative mouse protein, and 24% identity and 51% homology to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae YGL183 cp protein. These mouse and yeast proteins are novel proteins of unknown function.

Interestingly, 121P1F1 shows 24% identity and 43% homology to human Dynactin 1. Dynactin is a cytoplasmic protein that associates in a multi subunit, organelle-associated complex and serves to regulate several cellular functions including cell division, intracellular transport, vesicle trafficking and cell motility (Holleran E A et al, Int Rev Cytol. 1998, 182:69; Young A et al, Mol. Cell. Biol. 2000, 11:2047). Dynactin is ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells, with no known pattern of over-expression in tumor cells.

In addition, 121P1F1 carries a leucine zipper motif (ZIP) and a steroid receptor motif. Leucine zippers are known to play a role in protein dimerization and determine sequence-specific DNA binding (Luscher B, Larsson LG. Oncogene. 1999; 18:2955). Steroid hormone receptors are intracellular transcription factors that mediate the effect of steroid hormones and regulate the expression of target genes (Beato M, Klug J. Hum Reprod Update. 2000, 6:225). Steroid hormone receptors are involved in a variety of biological functions, including cell differentiation, proliferation and homeostasis (Wennho H and Tornell J. Oncogene. 2000, 19:1072; Zhang J, and Lazar M A. Ann Rev Physiol. 2000; 62:439). Steroid receptors are specifically relevant in prostate cancer, as the androgen receptor plays a key role in cell proliferation and survival of prostate cancer cells (Henderson B E and Feigelson H S. Carcinogenesis. 2000, 21:427). The dependence of prostate tumors on androgen has been used in a clinical setting, where androgen ablation and antiandrogen therapy has become a standard treatment of metastatic disease.

121P1F1 is likely a cytoplasmic protein, with potential association with the cytoplasmic membrane. 121P1F1 has a calculated MW of 23.75 kDa and pI of 8.28 It is probable that 121P1F1 is a cytoplasmic protein based on two topology algorithms (J. Mol. Biol. 2000, 300:1005 and Bioinformatics, 1998, 14:378) and based on its homology to Dynactin. However, it is also possible that 121P1F1 is localized in the nucleus based on PSORT analysis (http://psort.nibb.ac.jp:8800/form.html).

When 121P1F1 plays a role in intracellular trafficking, cell motility, cell division, cell differentiation, growth or transcription, 121P1F1 is a target for diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic purposes.

Example 14 Cell Protein Interactions Mediated by 121P1F1

Due to its similarity to dynactin, it is possible that 121P1F1 regulates intracellular trafficking. Trafficking of proteins can be studied using well-established methods (see, e.g., Valetti C. et al. Mol Biol Cell. 1999, 10:4107). In short, FITC-conjugated α2-macroglobulin is incubated with 121P1F1-expressing and 121P1F1-negative cells. The location and uptake of FITC-α2-macroglobulin are visualized using a fluorescent microscope. In another set of experiments, the co-localization of 121P1F1 with vesicular proteins is evaluated by co-precipitation and Western blotting techniques and fluorescent microscopy. When 121P1F1 plays a role in intracellular trafficking, 121P1F1 is a target for diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic purposes.

Example 15 Regulation of Transcription by 121P1F1

The 121P1F1 protein contains a leucine zipper motif, indicating that it can participate in protein-protein interaction, protein-DNA interaction, and can play a role in transcriptional regulation of eukaryotic genes. Regulation of gene expression can be evaluated by studying gene expression in cells expressing or lacking 121P1F1. For this purpose, two types of experiments are performed. In the first set of experiments, RNA from parental and 121P1F1-expressing NIH3T3 and PC3 cells, respectively, are extracted and hybridized to commercially available gene arrays (Clontech). Resting cells as well as cells treated with FBS or androgen are compared. Differentially expressed genes are identified in accordance with procedures known in the art. The differentially expressed genes are then mapped to biological pathways.

In the second set of experiments, specific transcriptional pathway activation is evaluated using commercially available (Stratagene) luciferase reporter constructs including: NFkB-luc, SRE-luc, ELK1-luc, ARE-luc, p53-luc, and CRE-luc. These transcriptional reporters contain consensus binding sites for known transcription factors that lie downstream of well-characterized signal transduction pathways, and represent a good tool to ascertain pathway activation and screen for positive and negative modulators of pathway activation.

When 121P1F1 plays a role in gene regulation, 121P1F1 is used as a target for diagnostic, prognostic, preventative and therapeutic purposes.

Example 16 121P1F1 Monoclonal Antibody Mediated Inhibition of Prostate Tumors In Vivo

The significant expression of 121P1F1, in cancer tissues, together with its restrictive expression in normal tissues makes 121P1F1 a target for antibody therapy. Similarly, 121P1F1 is a target for T cell-based immunotherapy. Thus, the therapeutic efficacy of anti-121P1F1 mAbs in human prostate cancer xenograft mouse models is evaluated by using the androgen-dependent LAPC-9 xenograft (Craft, N., el at., Cancer Res, 1999. 59(19): p. 5030-6) and the androgen independent recombinant cell line PC₃₋₁₂₁P1F1 (see, e.g., Kaighn, M. E., et al., Invest Urol, 1979. 17(1): p. 16-23).

Antibody efficacy on tumor growth and metastasis formation is studied, e.g., in a mouse orthotopic prostate cancer xenograft model. We demonstrate that anti-121P1F1 MAbs inhibit formation of both the androgen-dependent LAPC-9 and androgen-independent PC3-121P1F1 tumor xenografts. Anti-121P1F1 mAbs also retard the growth of established orthotopic tumors significantly and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. These results indicate the utility of anti-121P1F1 mAbs in the treatment of local and advanced stages of prostate cancer.

Administration of the anti-121P1F1 mAbs led to retardation of established orthotopic tumor growth and inhibition of metastasis to distant sites, resulting in a significant prolongation in the survival of tumor-bearing mice. These studies indicate that 121P1F1 as an attractive target for immunotherapy and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of anti-121P1F1 mAbs for the treatment of local and metastatic prostate cancer. This example demonstrates that unconjugated 121P1F1 monoclonal antibodies are effective to inhibit the growth of human prostate tumor xenografts grown in SCID mice; accordingly a combination of such efficacious monoclonal antibodies is also effective.

Tumor Inhibition using Multiple Unconjugated 121P1F1 mAbs

Materials and Methods

121P1F1 Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are raised against 121P1F1 as described in Example 9.

Antibodies are characterized by ELISA, Western blot, FACS, and immunoprecipitation for their capacity to bind 121P1F1. Epitope mapping data for the anti-121P1F1 mAbs, as determined by ELISA and Western analysis, recognize epitopes on the 121P1F1 protein. Immunohistochemical analysis of prostate cancer tissues and cells with these antibodies is performed.

Antibody Formulation

The monoclonal antibodies are purified from hybridoma tissue culture supernatants by Protein-G Sepharose chromatography, dialyzed against PBS, filter sterilized, and stored at −20° C. Protein determinations are performed by a Bradford assay (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif.). A therapeutic monoclonal antibody or a cocktail comprising a mixture of individual monoclonal antibodies is prepared and used for the treatment of mice receiving subcutaneous or orthotopic injections of LAPC-9 prostate tumor xenografts.

Prostate Cancer Xenografts and Cell Lines

The LAPC-9 xenograft, which expresses a wild-type androgen receptor and produces prostate-specific antigen (PSA), is passaged in 6- to 8-week-old male ICR-severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice (Taconic Farms) by s.c. trocar implant (Craft, N., et al., supra). Single-cell suspensions of LAPC-9 tumor cells are prepared as described in Craft, et al. The prostate carcinoma cell line PC3 (American Type Culture Collection) is maintained in DMEM supplemented with L-glutamine and 10% (vol/vol) FBS.

A PC3-121P1F1 cell population is generated by retroviral gene transfer as described in Hubert, R. S., et al., STEAP: a prostate-specific cell-surface antigen highly expressed in human prostate tumors. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1999. 96(25): p. 14523-8. Anti-121P1F1 staining is detected by using an FITC-conjugated goat anti-mouse antibody (Southern Biotechnology Associates) followed by analysis on a Coulter Epics-XL flow cytometer.

Xenograft Mouse Models

Subcutaneous (s.c.) tumors are generated by injection of 1×10⁶ LAPC-9, PC3, or PC3-121P1F1 cells mixed at a 1:1 dilution with Matrigel (Collaborative Research) in the right flank of male SCID mice. To test antibody efficacy on tumor formation, i.p. antibody injections are started on the same day as tumor-cell injections. As a control, mice are injected with either purified mouse IgG (ICN) or PBS; or a purified monoclonal antibody that recognizes an irrelevant antigen not expressed in human cells. In preliminary studies, no difference is found between mouse IgG or PBS on tumor growth. Tumor sizes are determined by vernier caliper measurements, and the tumor volume is calculated as length×width×height. Mice with s.c. tumors greater than 1.5 cm in diameter are sacrificed. PSA levels are determined by using a PSA ELISA kit (Anogen, Mississauga, Ontario). Circulating levels of anti-121P1F1 mAbs are determined by a capture ELISA kit (Bethyl Laboratories, Montgomery, Tex.). (See, e.g., (Saffran, D., et al., PNAS 10: 1073-1078 or www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.051624698)

Orthotopic injections are performed under anesthesia by using ketamine/xylazine. An incision is made through the abdominal muscles to expose the bladder and seminal vesicles, which then are delivered through the incision to expose the dorsal prostate. LAPC-9 cells (5×10⁵) mixed with Matrigel are injected into each dorsal lobe in a 10-μl volume. To monitor tumor growth, mice are bled on a weekly basis for determination of PSA levels. Based on the PSA levels, the mice are segregated into groups for the appropriate treatments. To test the effect of anti-121P1F1 mAbs on established orthotopic tumors, i.p. antibody injections are started when PSA levels reach 2-80 ng/ml.

Anti-121P1F1 mAbs Inhibit Formation of 121P1F1-Expressing Prostate-Cancer Tumors

The effect of anti-121P1F1 mAbs on tumor formation is tested by using the LAPC-9 orthotopic model. As compared with the s.c. tumor model, the orthotopic model, which requires injection of tumor cells directly in the mouse prostate, results in a local tumor growth, development of metastasis in distal sites, deterioration of mouse health, and subsequent death (Saffran, D., et al., PNAS supra; Fu, X., et al., Int J Cancer, 1992. 52(6): p. 987-90; Kubota, T., J Cell Biochem, 1994. 56(1): p. 4-8). The features make the orthotopic model more representative of human disease progression and allowed us to follow the therapeutic effect of mAbs on clinically relevant end points.

Accordingly, LAPC-9 tumor cells are injected into the mouse prostate, and 2 days later, the mice are segregated into two groups and treated with either 200 μg of anti-121P1F1 Ab or PBS three times per week for two weeks. Mice are monitored weekly for circulating PSA levels as an indicator of tumor growth.

A major advantage of the orthotopic prostate-cancer model is the ability to study the development of metastases. Formation of metastasis in mice bearing established orthotopic tumors is studies by IHC analysis on lung sections using an antibody against a prostate-specific cell-surface protein STEAP expressed at high levels in LAPC-9 xenografts (Hubert, R. S., et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1999. 96(25): p. 14523-8).

Mice bearing established orthotopic LAPC-9 tumors are administered 11 injections of either anti-121P1F1 mAb or PBS over a 4-week period. Mice in both groups are allowed to establish a high tumor burden (PSA levels greater than 300 ng/ml), to ensure a high frequency of metastasis formation in mouse lungs. Mice then are killed and their prostate and lungs are analyzed for the presence of LAPC-9 cells by anti-STEAP IHC analysis.

Our studies demonstrate a broad anti-tumor efficacy of anti-121P1F1 antibodies on initiation and progression of prostate cancer in xenograft mouse models. Anti-121P1F1 antibodies inhibit tumor formation of both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent tumors as well as retarding the growth of already established tumors and prolong the survival of treated mice. Moreover, anti-121P1F1 mAbs demonstrate a dramatic inhibitory effect on the spread of local prostate tumor to distal sites, even in the presence of a large tumor burden. Thus, anti-121P1F1 mAbs are efficacious on major clinically relevant end points/PSA levels (tumor growth), prolongation of survival, and health.

Example 17 Role of 121P1F1 as a Steroid Receptor

When activated by ligands, steroid receptors translocate to the nucleus where they bind to specific DNA and function as transcription factors. In addition, the expression of several steroid receptors, such as the androgen receptor, is regulated by steroid (Grad J et al. Mol Endocrinol. 1999, 13: 1896). Using 121P1F1-negative and 121P1F1-positive cells, we studied the regulation of 121P1F1 expression by steroids, such as androgen, estrogen, glucocorticoids and progesterone. We have shown that 121P1F1 is regulated by androgen in prostate cancer cell lines grown from xenograft models of prostate cancer, indicating that one or more steroids regulate the expression of 121P1F1.

Since 121P1F1 was derived from a LAPC-9 AD minus LAPC-9 AD (28 days post-castration) subtraction, we sought to assay for androgen regulation of 121P1F1 (FIG. 11). LAPC-4² cells were grown in charcoal-stripped medium and stimulated with the synthetic androgen mibolerone, for either 14 or 24 hours. We found that the expression of 121P1F1 goes down in absence of normal serum, and is modulated in presence of mibolerone, 24 hours after stimulation. The experimental samples were confirmed by testing for the expression of the androgen-regulated prostate cancer gene PSA. This experiment showed that, as expected, PSA levels go down in presence of charcoal-stripped serum, and expression is induced at 14 and 24 hours in presence of mibolerone.

The ability of 121P1F1 to bind specific DNA response elements known to mediate gene expression by steroids can be studied by gel shift assays and DNA reporter assays. Lysates from 121P1F1-positive and 121P1F1-negative cells are incubated in the presence of oligonucleotides encoding steroid response elements such as androgen response element (ARE), glucocorticoid response element (GRE) or estrogen (ERE). Binding of 121P1F1 is detected by a mobility shift of the oligonucleotide, and is confirmed using anti-121P1F1 antibodies. Similarly, cells expressing 121P1F1 can be compared to cells lacking 121P1F1, using reporter constructs carrying multiple repeats of the above mentioned response elements.

When 121P1F1 functions as a steroid receptor, 121P1F1 is a target for diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic purposes.

Example 18 Regulation of Cell Cycle and Survival by 121P1F1

Steroid hormone receptors and proteins with leucine zipper motifs have the ability to regulate cell growth and cell death. In addition, dynactin regulates cell division at the level of mitosis (Karki S and Holzbaur E., Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 1999, 11: 45). Similarly, 121P1F1 plays a role in cell cycle and survival. For example, 121P1F1-expressing cells, including normal and tumor prostate, colon and lung cells, are compared to 121P1F1-negative cells for differences in cell cycle regulation using a well-established BrdU assay (Abdel-Malek Z A. J Cell Physiol. 1988, 136: 247). In short, cells grown under both optimal (full serum) and limiting (low serum) conditions are labeled with BrdU for 1 hour and stained with anti-BrdU Ab and propidium iodide. Cells are analyzed for entry into the G1, S, and G2M phases of the cell cycle.

The 121P1F1 protein can prevent cell death (apoptosis). The effect of stress on apoptosis is evaluated in 121P1F1-negative cells and 121P1F1-expressing cells, including normal and tumor prostate, colon and lung cells. Engineered and parental cells treated with various chemotherapeutic agents and protein synthesis inhibitors are stained with annexin V-FITC. Cell death is measured by FACS analysis.

When 121P1F1 contributes to cell division and/or apoptosis, 121P1F1 is used as a target for diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic purposes.

Throughout this application, various publications are referenced (within parentheses for example). The disclosures of these publications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the embodiments disclosed herein, which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the invention, and any that are functionally equivalent are within the scope of the invention. Various modifications to the models and methods of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and teachings, and are similarly intended to fall within the scope of the invention. Such modifications or other embodiments can be practiced without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention.

Tables

TABLE I Tissues that Express 121P1F1 When Malignant prostate kidney bladder lung pancreas colon breast stomach blood cells

TABLE II AMINO ACID ABBREVIATIONS SINGLE LETTER THREE LETTER FULL NAME F Phe phenylalanine L Leu leucine S Ser serine Y Tyr tyrosine C Cys cysteine W Trp tryptophan P Pro proline H His histidine Q Gln glutamine R Arg arginine I Ile isoleucine M Met methionine T Thr threonine N Asn asparagine K Lys lysine V Val valine A Ala alanine D Asp aspartic acid E Glu glutamic acid G Gly glycine

TABLE III AMINO ACID SUBSTITUTION MATRIX Adapted from the GCG Software 9.0 BLOSUM62 amino acid substitution matrix (block substitution matrix). The higher the value, the more likely a substitution is found in related, natural proteins. A C D E F G H I K L M N P Q R S T V W Y 4 0 −2 −1 −2 0 −2 −1 −1 −1 −1 −2 −1 −1 −1 1 0 0 −3 −2 A 9 −3 −4 −2 −3 −3 −1 −3 −1 −1 −3 −3 −3 −3 −1 −1 −1 −2 −2 C 6 2 −3 −1 −1 −3 −1 −4 −3 1 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −3 −4 −3 D 5 −3 −2 0 −3 1 −3 −2 0 −1 2 0 0 −1 −2 −3 −2 E 6 −3 −1 0 −3 0 0 −3 −4 −3 −3 −2 −2 −1 1 3 F 6 −2 −4 −2 −4 −3 0 −2 −2 −2 0 −2 −3 −2 −3 G 8 −3 −1 −3 −2 1 −2 0 0 −1 −2 −3 −2 2 H 4 −3 2 1 −3 −3 −3 −3 −2 −1 3 −3 −1 I 5 −2 −1 0 −1 1 2 0 −1 −2 −3 −2 K 4 2 −3 −3 −2 −2 −2 −1 1 −2 −1 L 5 −2 −2 0 −1 −1 −1 1 −1 −1 M 6 −2 0 0 1 0 −3 −4 −2 N 7 −1 −2 −1 −1 −2 −4 −3 P 5 1 0 −1 −2 −2 −1 Q 5 −1 −1 −3 −3 −2 R 4 1 −2 −3 −2 S 5 0 −2 −2 T 4 −3 −1 V 11 2 W 7 Y

TABLE IV (A) HLA CLASS I SUPERMOTIFS SUPERMOTIF POSITION 2 C-TERMINUS A2 L, I, V, M, A, T, Q L,. I, V, M, A, T A3 A, V, I, L, M, S, T R, K B7 P A, L, I, M, V, F, W, Y B44 D, E F, W, Y, L, I, M, V, A A1 T, S, L, I, V, M F, W, Y A24 F, W, Y, L, V, I, M, T F, I, Y, W, L, M B27 R, H, K A, L, I, V, M, Y, F, W B58 A, S, T F, W, Y, L, I, V B62 L, V, M, P, I, Q F, W, Y, M, I, V

TABLE IV (B) HLA CLASS II SUPERMOTIF 1 6 9 W, F, Y, V, .I, L A, V, I, L, P, C, S, T A, V, I, L, C, S, T, M, Y Tables V-XVIII Predicted Binding of Peptides from 121P1F1 Proteins to Various Human MHC Class I Molecules

-   Table V: 121P1F1 HLA A1 9-mer Peptides and Scoring Results -   Table VI: 121P1F1 HLA A1 10-mer Peptides and Scoring Results -   Table VII: 121P1F1 HLA A02 9-mer Peptides and Scoring Results -   Table VIII: 121P1F1 HLA A 02 10-mer Peptides and Scoring Results -   Table IX: 121P1F1 HLA A3 9-mer Peptides and Scoring Results -   Table X: 121P1F1 HLA A3 10-mer Peptides and Scoring Results -   Table XI: 121P1F1 HLA A11 9-mer Peptides and Scoring Results -   Table XII: 121P1F1 HLA A11 10-mer Peptides and Scoring Result -   Table XIII: 121P1F1 HLA A24 9-mer Peptides and Scoring Results -   Table XIV: 121P1F1 HLA A24 10-mer Peptides and Scoring Results -   Table XV: 121P1F1 HLA B7 9-mer Peptides and Scoring Results -   Table XVI: 121P1F1 HLA B7 10-mer Peptides and Scoring Results -   Table XVII: 121P1F1 HLA B35 9-mer Peptides and Scoring Results

Table XVIII: 121P1F1 HLA B35 10-mer Peptides and Scoring Results TABLE V HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - A1 - 9mers Score (Estimate of Half +L,32 Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Start Residue a Molecule Containing This Rank Position Listing Subsequence) 1 169 WTDNIFAIK 50.000 2 114 RCETEERTR 9.000 3 16 MMEIFSETK 9.000 4 195 FGIPEDFDY 6.250 5 106 SIEKAKIGR 4.500 6 20 FSETKDVFQ 2.700 7 59 MVDCERIGT 2.500 8 185 GFEENKIDR 2.250 9 116 ETEERTRLA 2.250 10 152 VEEIRQANK 1.800 11 101 ASLQKSIEK 1.500 12 93 LSEGSQKHA 1.350 13 54 LVDDGMVDC 1.000 14 146 DCDPQVVEE 1.000 15 85 KLEVLESQL 0.900 16 151 VVEEIRQAN 0.900 17 8 SAEEKRTRM 0.900 18 88 VLESQLSEG 0.900 19 130 LRDQREQLK 0.500 20 117 TEERTRLAK 0.450 21 193 RTFGIPEDF 0.250 22 66 GTSNYYWAF 0.250 23 77 KALHARKHK 0.200 24 72 WAFPSKALH 0.200 25 138 KAEVEKYKD 0.180 26 7 LSAEEKRTR 0.150 27 126 ELSSLRDQR 0.100 28 34 KIAPKEKGI 0.100 29 61 DCERIGTSN 0.090 30 133 QREQLKAEV 0.090 31 40 KGITAMSVK 0.050 32 22 ETKDVFQLK 0.050 33 26 VFQLKDLEK 0.050 34 136 QLKAEVEKY 0.050 35 197 IPEDFDYID 0.045 36 47 VKEVLQSLV 0.045 37 162 AKEAANRWT 0.045 38 186 FEENKIDRT 0.045 39 91 SQLSEGSQK 0.030 40 63 ERIGTSNYY 0.025 41 42 ITAMSVKEV 0.025 42 5 KGLSAEEKR 0.025 43 144 YKDCDPQVV 0.025 44 148 DPQVVEEIR 0.025 45 124 AKELSSLRD 0.022 46 175 AIKSWAKRK 0.020 47 174 FAIKSWAKR 0.020 48 30 KDLEKIAPK 0.020 49 155 IRQANKVAK 0.020 50 160 KVAKEAANR 0.020

TABLE VI HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - A1 - 10mers Score (Estimate of Half +L,32 Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Start Residue a Molecule Containing This Rank Position Listing Subsequence) 1 116 ETEERTRLAK 225.000 2 151 VVEEIRQANK 36.000 3 20 FSETKDVFQL 6.750 4 169 WTDNIFAIKS 6.250 5 146 DCDPQVVEEI 5.000 6 61 DCERIGTSNY 4.500 7 31 DLEKIAPKEK 1.800 8 93 LSEGSQKHAS 1.350 9 25 DVFQLKDLEK 1.000 10 100 HASLQKSIEK 1.000 11 29 LKDLEKIAPK 1.000 12 8 SAEEKRTRMM 0.900 13 85 KLEVLESQLS 0.900 14 88 VLESQLSEGS 0.900 15 138 KAEVEKYKDC 0.900 16 114 RCETEERTRL 0.900 17 105 KSIEKAKIGR 0.750 18 72 WAFPSKALHA 0.500 19 59 MVDCERIGTS 0.500 20 186 FEENKIDRTF 0.450 21 90 ESQLSEGSQK 0.300 22 55 VDDGMVDCER 0.250 23 172 NIFAIKSWAK 0.200 24 96 GSQKHASLQK 0.150 25 184 FGFEENKIDR 0.125 26 194 TFGIPEDFDY 0.125 27 130 LRDQREQLKA 0.125 28 18 EIFSETKDVF 0.100 29 6 GLSAEEKRTR 0.100 30 34 KIAPKEKGIT 0.100 31 15 RMMEIFSETK 0.100 32 68 SNYYWAFPSK 0.100 33 106 SIEKAKIGRC 0.090 34 177 KSWAKRKFGF 0.075 35 67 TSNYYWAFPS 0.075 36 54 LVDDGMVDCE 0.050 37 185 GFEENKIDRT 0.045 38 124 AKELSSLRDQ 0.045 39 152 VEEIRQANKV 0.045 40 16 MMEIFSETKD 0.045 41 154 EIRQANKVAK 0.040 42 65 IGTSNYYWAF 0.025 43 42 ITAMSVKEVL 0.025 44 23 TKDVFQLKDL 0.025 45 190 KIDRTFGIPE 0.025 46 58 GMVDCERIGT 0.025 47 195 FGIPEDFDYI 0.025 48 44 AMSVKEVLQS 0.025 49 47 VKEVLQSLVD 0.022 50 174 FAIKSWAKRK 0.020

TABLE VII HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - A2 - 9mers Score (Estimate of Half +L,32 Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Start Residue a Molecule Containing This Rank Position Listing Subsequence) 1 15 RMMEIFSET 155.125 2 122 RLAKELSSL 49.134 3 196 GIPEDFDYI 30.116 4 78 ALHARKHKL 21.362 5 27 FQLKDLEKI 20.290 6 172 NIFAIKSWA 13.901 7 6 GLSAEEKRT 7.452 8 102 SLQKSIEKA 5.599 9 21 SETKDVFQL 5.541 10 34 KIAPKEKGI 5.021 11 85 KLEVLESQL 4.785 12 42 ITAMSVKEV 3.777 13 129 SLRDQREQL 3.262 14 54 LVDDGMVDC 2.787 15 18 EIFSETKDV 2.654 16 115 CETEERTRL 1.703 17 150 QVVEEIRQA 0.820 18 46 SVKEVLQSL 0.617 19 139 AEVEKYKDC 0.594 20 65 IGTSNYYWA 0.455 21 59 MVDCERIGT 0.443 22 51 LQSLVDDGM 0.420 23 189 NKIDRTFGI 0.345 24 92 QLSEGSQKH 0.306 25 28 QLKDLEKIA 0.292 26 24 KDVFQLKDL 0.239 27 43 TAMSVKEVL 0.221 28 52 QSLVDDGMV 0.218 29 50 VLQSLVDDG 0.143 30 153 EEIRQANKV 0.101 31 70 YYWAFPSKA 0.100 32 168 RWTDNIFAI 0.079 33 177 KSWAKRKFG 0.078 34 144 YKDCDPQVV 0.073 35 165 AANRWTDNI 0.071 36 157 QANKVAKEA 0.069 37 64 RIGTSNYYW 0.056 38 186 FEENKIDRT 0.048 39 167 NRWTDNIFA 0.031 40 183 KFGFEENKI 0.025 41 99 KHASLQKSI 0.025 42 53 SLVDDGMVD 0.025 43 88 VLESQLSEG 0.019 44 8 SAEEKRTRM 0.018 45 58 GMVDCERIG 0.018 46 72 WAFPSKALH 0.018 47 147 CDPQVVEEI 0.016 48 104 QKSIEKAKI 0.014 49 71 YWAFPSKAL 0.014 50 195 FGIPEDFDY 0.013

TABLE VIII HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 1221P1F1 - A2 - 10mers Score (Estimate of Half +L,32 Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Start Residue a Molecule Containing This Rank Position Listing Subsequence) 1 53 SLVDDGMVDC 46.848 2 58 GMVDCERIGT 22.066 3 41 GITAMSVKEV 21.996 4 92 QLSEGSQKHA 20.369 5 64 RIGTSNYYWA 5.636 6 50 VLQSLVDDGM 4.138 7 77 KALHARKHKL 3.842 8 27 FQLKDLEKIA 3.515 9 17 MEIFSETKDV 2.299 10 195 FGIPEDFDYI 1.604 11 51 LQSLVDDGMV 1.558 12 72 WAFPSKALHA 1.174 13 46 SVKEVLQSLV 0.873 14 5 KGLSAEEKRT 0.630 15 20 FSETKDVFQL 0.548 16 45 MSVKEVLQSL 0.545 17 156 RQANKVAKEA 0.504 18 94 SEGSQKHASL 0.415 19 15 RMMEIFSETK 0.304 20 128 SSLRDQREQL 0.253 21 7 LSAEEKRTRM 0.226 22 34 KIAPKEKGIT 0.191 23 38 KEKGITAMSV 0.166 24 132 DQREQLKAEV 0.165 25 167 NRWTDNIFAI 0.160 26 152 VEEIRQANKV 0.147 27 101 ASLQKSIEKA 0.135 28 44 AMSVKEVLQS 0.124 29 35 IAPKEKGITA 0.117 30 70 YYWAFPSKAL 0.113 31 42 ITAMSVKEVL 0.101 32 79 LHARKHKLEV 0.082 33 177 KSWAKRKFGF 0.082 34 115 CETEERTRLA 0.079 35 103 LQKSIEKAKI 0.063 36 172 NIFAIKSWAK 0.057 37 182 RKFGFEENKI 0.054 38 157 QANKVAKEAA 0.034 39 91 SQLSEGSQKH 0.028 40 161 VAKEAANRWT 0.028 41 23 TKDVFQLKDL 0.027 42 150 QVVEEIRQAN 0.027 43 121 TRLAKELSSL 0.025 44 142 EKYKDCDPQV 0.023 45 138 KAEVEKYKDC 0.023 46 160 KVAKEAANRW 0.023 47 87 EVLESQLSEG 0.017 48 85 KLEVLESQLS 0.017 49 84 HKLEVLESQL 0.015 50 102 SLQKSIEKAK 0.015

TABLE IX HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - A3 - 9mers Score (Estimate of Half +L,32 Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Start Residue a Molecule Containing This Rank Position Listing Subsequence) 1 16 MMEIFSETK 60.000 2 136 QLKAEVEKY 12.000 3 169 WTDNIFAIK 4.500 4 175 AIKSWAKRK 3.000 5 66 GTSNYYWAF 2.700 6 85 KLEVLESQL 1.800 7 22 ETKDVFQLK 1.350 8 97 SQKHASLQK 1.200 9 160 KVAKEAANR 1.200 10 126 ELSSLRDQR 1.200 11 193 RTFGIPEDF 1.125 12 15 RMMEIFSET 1.012 13 122 RLAKELSSL 0.900 14 91 SQLSEGSQK 0.900 15 196 GIPEDFDYI 0.810 16 106 SIEKAKIGR 0.800 17 78 ALHARKHKL 0.600 18 129 SLRDQREQL 0.600 19 77 KALHARKHK 0.450 20 103 LQKSIEKAK 0.450 21 182 RKFGFEENK 0.450 22 102 SLQKSIEKA 0.300 23 92 QLSEGSQKH 0.300 24 101 ASLQKSIEK 0.300 25 69 NYYWAFPSK 0.300 26 135 EQLKAEVEK 0.270 27 30 KDLEKIAPK 0.203 28 46 SVKEVLQSL 0.203 29 172 NIFAIKSWA 0.150 30 6 GLSAEEKRT 0.150 31 40 KGITAMSVK 0.135 32 34 KIAPKEKGI 0.135 33 117 TEERTRLAK 0.120 34 28 QLKDLEKIA 0.100 35 4 KKGLSAEEK 0.060 36 173 IFAIKSWAK 0.060 37 50 VLQSLVDDG 0.060 38 174 FAIKSWAKR 0.060 39 152 VEEIRQANK 0.060 40 64 RIGTSNYYW 0.060 41 123 LAKELSSLR 0.060 42 74 FPSKALHAR 0.060 43 53 SLVDDGMVD 0.060 44 27 FQLKDLEKI 0.041 45 26 VFQLKDLEK 0.040 46 185 GFEENKIDR 0.036 47 54 LVDDGMVDC 0.030 48 32 LEKIAPKEK 0.030 49 88 VLESQLSEG 0.030 50 195 FGIPEDFDY 0.027

TABLE X HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - A3 - 10mers Score (Estimate of Half +L,32 Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Start Residue a Molecule Containing This Rank Position Listing Subsequence) 1 15 RMMEIFSETK 135.000 2 172 NIFAIKSWAK 30.000 3 129 SLRDQREQLK 20.000 4 136 QLKAEVEKYK 15.000 5 102 SLQKSIEKAK 15.000 6 25 DVFQLKDLEK 6.000 7 122 RLAKELSSLR 4.000 8 31 DLEKIAPKEK 3.000 9 151 VVEEIRQANK 3.000 10 6 GLSAEEKRTR 1.200 11 111 KIGRCETEER 1.200 12 58 GMVDCERIGT 0.900 13 116 ETEERTRLAK 0.900 14 154 EIRQANKVAK 0.600 15 96 GSQKHASLQK 0.600 16 68 SNYYWAFPSK 0.600 17 53 SLVDDGMVDC 0.450 18 174 FAIKSWAKRK 0.450 19 177 KSWAKRKFGF 0.450 20 100 HASLQKSIEK 0.400 21 50 VLQSLVDDGM 0.300 22 18 EIFSETKDVF 0.300 23 105 KSIEKAKIGR 0.270 24 21 SETKDVFQLK 0.270 25 44 AMSVKEVLQS 0.240 26 74 FPSKALHARK 0.200 27 181 KRKFGFEENK 0.180 28 135 EQLKAEVEKY 0.162 29 92 QLSEGSQKHA 0.150 30 85 KLEVLESQLS 0.120 31 3 KKKGLSAEEK 0.090 32 168 RWTDNIFAIK 0.090 33 41 GITAMSVKEV 0.090 34 196 GIPEDFDYID 0.081 35 184 FGFEENKIDR 0.060 36 134 REQLKAEVEK 0.060 37 64 RIGTSNYYWA 0.060 38 160 KVAKEAANRW 0.060 39 125 KELSSLRDQR 0.054 40 42 ITAMSVKEVL 0.045 41 28 QLKDLEKIAP 0.040 42 88 VLESQLSEGS 0.040 43 190 KIDRTFGIPE 0.036 44 29 LKDLEKIAPK 0.030 45 46 SVKEVLQSLV 0.030 46 72 WAFPSKALHA 0.030 47 90 ESQLSEGSQK 0.030 48 77 KALHARKHKL 0.027 49 20 FSETKDVFQL 0.027 50 165 AANRWTDNIF 0.020

TABLE XI HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - A11 - 9mers Score (Estimate of Half +L,32 Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Start Residue a Molecule Containing This Rank Position Listing Subsequence) 1 160 KVAKEAANR 1.200 2 97 SQKHASLQK 1.200 3 169 WTDNIFAIK 1.000 4 91 SQLSEGSQK 0.900 5 69 NYYWAFPSK 0.800 6 77 KALHARKHK 0.450 7 16 MMEIFSETK 0.400 8 173 IFAIKSWAK 0.400 9 26 VFQLKDLEK 0.400 10 103 LQKSIEKAK 0.300 11 22 ETKDVFQLK 0.300 12 135 EQLKAEVEK 0.270 13 185 GFEENKIDR 0.240 14 175 AIKSWAKRK 0.200 15 106 SIEKAKIGR 0.160 16 182 RKFGFEENK 0.120 17 117 TEERTRLAK 0.120 18 40 KGITAMSVK 0.090 19 30 KDLEKIAPK 0.090 20 101 ASLQKSIEK 0.060 21 4 KKGLSAEEK 0.060 22 152 VEEIRQANK 0.060 23 174 FAIKSWAKR 0.060 24 66 GTSNYYWAF 0.060 25 193 RTFGIPEDF 0.060 26 123 LAKELSSLR 0.040 27 74 FPSKALHAR 0.040 28 32 LEKIAPKEK 0.030 29 126 ELSSLRDQR 0.024 30 64 RIGTSNYYW 0.024 31 46 SVKEVLQSL 0.020 32 155 IRQANKVAK 0.020 33 130 LRDQREQLK 0.020 34 5 KGLSAEEKR 0.018 35 114 RCETEERTR 0.012 36 148 DPQVVEEIR 0.012 37 196 GIPEDFDYI 0.012 38 85 KLEVLESQL 0.012 39 122 RLAKELSSL 0.012 40 143 KYKDCDPQV 0.012 41 137 LKAEVEKYK 0.010 42 27 FQLKDLEKI 0.009 43 172 NIFAIKSWA 0.008 44 70 YYWAFPSKA 0.008 45 34 KIAPKEKGI 0.006 46 51 LQSLVDDGM 0.006 47 13 RTRMMEIFS 0.006 48 183 KFGFEENKI 0.006 49 42 ITAMSVKEV 0.005 50 136 QLKAEVEKY 0.004

TABLE XII HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - A11 - 10mers Score (Estimate of Half +L,32 Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Start Residue a Molecule Containing This Rank Position Listing Subsequence) 1 15 RMMEIFSETK 2.400 2 25 DVFQLKDLEK 2.400 3 151 VVEEIRQANK 2.000 4 172 NIFAIKSWAK 1.600 5 116 ETEERTRLAK 0.600 6 100 HASLQKSIEK 0.400 7 129 SLRDQREQLK 0.400 8 111 KIGRCETEER 0.240 9 122 RLAKELSSLR 0.240 10 136 QLKAEVEKYK 0.200 11 102 SLQKSIEKAK 0.200 12 74 FPSKALHARK 0.200 13 134 REQLKAEVEK 0.180 14 174 FAIKSWAKRK 0.150 15 96 GSQKHASLQK 0.120 16 154 EIRQANKVAK 0.120 17 68 SNYYWAFPSK 0.080 18 181 KRKFGFEENK 0.060 19 3 KKKGLSAEEK 0.060 20 168 RWTDNIFAIK 0.060 21 21 SETKDVFQLK 0.060 22 31 DLEKIAPKEK 0.060 23 160 KVAKEAANRW 0.060 24 125 KELSSLRDQR 0.054 25 73 AFPSKALHAR 0.040 26 173 IFAIKSWAKR 0.040 27 105 KSIEKAKIGR 0.036 28 6 GLSAEEKRTR 0.024 29 64 RIGTSNYYWA 0.024 30 29 LKDLEKIAPK 0.020 31 46 SVKEVLQSLV 0.020 32 184 FGFEENKIDR 0.016 33 4 KKGLSAEEKR 0.012 34 143 KYKDCDPQVV 0.012 35 42 ITAMSVKEVL 0.010 36 76 SKALHARKHK 0.010 37 156 RQANKVAKEA 0.009 38 77 KALHARKHKL 0.009 39 13 RTRMMEIFSE 0.009 40 91 SQLSEGSQKH 0.009 41 69 NYYWAFPSKA 0.008 42 72 WAFPSKALHA 0.008 43 159 NKVAKEAANR 0.006 44 39 EKGITAMSVK 0.006 45 114 RCETEERTRL 0.006 46 120 RTRLAKELSS 0.006 47 51 LQSLVDDGMV 0.006 48 90 ESQLSEGSQK 0.006 49 103 LQKSIEKAKI 0.006 50 193 RTFGIPEDFD 0.006

TABLE XIII HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - A24 - 9mers Score (Estimate of Half +L,32 Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Start Residue a Molecule Containing This Rank Position Listing Subsequence) 1 85 KLEVLESQL 14.400 2 183 KFGFEENKI 13.200 3 143 KYKDCDPQV 12.000 4 19 IFSETKDVF 12.000 5 43 TAMSVKEVL 8.400 6 46 SVKEVLQSL 8.064 7 122 RLAKELSSL 8.000 8 193 RTFGIPEDF 5.600 9 70 YYWAFPSKA 5.500 10 129 SLRDQREQL 4.800 11 78 ALHARKHKL 4.400 12 71 YWAFPSKAL 4.000 13 95 EGSQKHASL 4.000 14 166 ANRWTDNIF 2.400 15 34 KIAPKEKGI 2.400 16 168 RWTDNIFAI 2.400 17 196 GIPEDFDYI 2.160 18 178 SWAKRKFGF 2.000 19 66 GTSNYYWAF 2.000 20 27 FQLKDLEKI 1.650 21 165 AANRWTDNI 1.500 22 57 DGMVDCERI 1.500 23 24 KDVFQLKDL 1.200 24 8 SAEEKRTRM 0.900 25 73 AFPSKALHA 0.750 26 51 LQSLVDDGM 0.700 27 15 RMMEIFSET 0.665 28 69 NYYWAFPSK 0.600 29 119 ERTRLAKEL 0.528 30 115 CETEERTRL 0.480 31 187 EENKIDRTF 0.420 32 12 KRTRMMEIF 0.400 33 81 ARKHKLEVL 0.400 34 21 SETKDVFQL 0.400 35 151 VVEEIRQAN 0.302 36 99 KHASLQKSI 0.240 37 147 CDPQVVEEI 0.231 38 157 QANKVAKEA 0.231 39 176 IKSWAKRKF 0.220 40 109 KAKIGRCET 0.220 41 61 DCERIGTSN 0.210 42 13 RTRMMEIFS 0.200 43 120 RTRLAKELS 0.200 44 64 RIGTSNYYW 0.200 45 189 NKIDRTFGI 0.180 46 150 QVVEEIRQA 0.180 47 195 FGIPEDFDY 0.180 48 116 ETEERTRLA 0.180 49 102 SLQKSIEKA 0.165 50 171 DNIFAIKSW 0.150

TABLE XIV HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - A24 - 10mers Score (Estimate of Half Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Ran Start Residue a Molecule Containing k Position Listing This Subsequence) 1 70 YYWAFPSKAL 200.000 2 143 KYKDCDPQVV 14.400 3 77 KALHARKHKL 13.200 4 114 RCETEERTRL 12.000 5 45 MSVKEVLQSL 10.080 6 26 VFQLKDLEKI 8.250 7 20 FSETKDVFQL 6.000 8 128 SSLRDQREQL 6.000 9 42 ITAMSVKEVL 5.600 10 69 NYYWAFPSKA 5.500 11 80 HARKHKLEVL 4.000 12 177 KSWAKRKFGF 4.000 13 165 AANRWTDNIF 3.600 14 175 AIKSWAKRKF 2.200 15 195 FGIPEDFDYI 2.160 16 18 EIFSETKDVF 2.000 17 65 IGTSNYYWAF 2.000 18 146 DCDPQVVEEI 1.848 19 103 LQKSIEKAKI 1.100 20 50 VLQSLVDDGM 1.050 21 188 ENKIDRTFGI 1.000 22 164 EAANRWTDNI 1.000 23 8 SAEEKRTRMM 0.900 24 185 GFEENKIDRT 0.900 25 84 HKLEVLESQL 0.864 26 121 TRLAKELSSL 0.600 27 36 APKEKGITAM 0.600 28 7 LSAEEKRTRM 0.600 29 118 EERTRLAKEL 0.528 30 194 TFGIPEDFDY 0.500 31 186 FEENKIDRTF 0.420 32 23 TKDVFQLKDL 0.400 33 94 SEGSQKHASL 0.400 34 85 KLEVLESQLS 0.360 35 156 RQANKVAKEA 0.308 36 150 QVVEEIRQAN 0.302 37 138 KAEVEKYKDC 0.300 38 5 KGLSAEEKRT 0.300 39 192 DRTFGIPEDF 0.280 40 182 RKFGFEENKI 0.264 41 34 KIAPKEKGTT 0.240 42 160 KVAKEAANRW 0.240 43 171 DNIFAIKSWA 0.210 44 64 RIGTSNYYWA 0.200 45 11 EKRTRMMEIF 0.200 46 120 RTRLAKELSS 0.200 47 27 FQLKDLEKIA 0.180 48 88 VLESQLSEGS 0.180 49 58 GMVDCERIGT 0.180 50 53 SLVDDGMVDC 0.180

TABLE XV HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - B7 - 9mers Score (Estimate of Half Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Ran Start Residue a Molecule Containing k Position Listing This Subsequence) 1 129 SLRDQREQL 60.000 2 43 TAMSVKEVL 36.000 3 46 SVKEVLQSL 20.000 4 78 ALHARKHKL 12.000 5 36 APKEKGITA 6.000 6 80 HARKHKLEV 6.000 7 122 RLAKELSSL 4.000 8 95 EGSQKHASL 4.000 9 165 AANRWTDNI 3.600 10 8 SAEEKRTRM 1.350 11 85 KLEVLESQL 1.200 12 81 ARKHKLEVL 1.200 13 57 DGMVDCERI 1.200 14 51 LQSLVDDGM 1.000 15 154 EIRQANKVA 1.000 16 115 CETEERTRL 0.600 17 71 YWAFPSKAL 0.600 18 166 ANRWTDNIF 0.600 19 150 QVVEEIRQA 0.500 20 109 KAKIGRCET 0.450 21 27 FQLKDLEKI 0.400 22 11 EKRTRMMEI 0.400 23 21 SETKDVFQL 0.400 24 196 GIPEDFDYI 0.400 25 34 KIAPKEKGI 0.400 26 119 ERTRLAKEL 0.400 27 24 KDVFQLKDL 0.400 28 35 IAPKEKGIT 0.300 29 15 RMMEIFSET 0.300 30 158 ANKVAKEAA 0.300 31 157 QANKVAKEA 0.300 32 59 MVDCERIGT 0.225 33 148 DPQVVEEIR 0.200 34 18 EIFSETKDV 0.200 35 52 QSLVDDGMV 0.200 36 74 FPSKALHAR 0.200 37 120 RTRLAKELS 0.200 38 13 RTRMMEIFS 0.200 39 42 ITAMSVKEV 0.200 40 54 LVDDGMVDC 0.150 41 65 IGTSNYYWA 0.100 42 102 SLQKSIEKA 0.100 43 132 DQREQLKAE 0.100 44 1 MSKKKGLSA 0.100 45 112 IGRCETEER 0.100 46 6 GLSAEEKRT 0.100 47 28 QLKDLEKIA 0.100 48 172 NIFAIKSWA 0.100 49 9 AEEKRTRMM 0.090 50 164 EAANRWTDN 0.060

TABLE XVI HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - B7 - 10mers Score (Estimate of Half Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Ran Start Residue a Molecule Containing k Position Listing This Subsequence) 1 80 HARKHKLEVL 120.000 2 36 APKEKGITAM 60.000 3 77 KALHARKHKL 12.000 4 128 SSLRDQREQL 6.000 5 42 ITAMSVKEVL 4.000 6 45 MSVKEVLQSL 4.000 7 118 EERTRLAKEL 4.000 8 166 ANRWTDNIFA 3.000 9 132 DQREQLKAEV 2.000 10 114 RCETEERTRL 1.800 11 7 LSAEEKRTRM 1.500 12 20 FSETKDVFQL 1.200 13 164 EAANRWTDNI 1.200 14 46 SVKEVLQSLV 1.000 15 50 VLQSLVDDGM 1.000 16 112 IGRCETEERT 1.000 17 8 SAEEKRIRMM 0.900 18 70 YYWAFPSKAL 0.600 19 94 SEGSQKHASL 0.400 20 188 ENKIDRTFGI 0.400 21 103 LQKSIEKAKI 0.400 22 121 TRLAKELSSL 0.400 23 195 FGIPEDFDYI 0.400 24 84 HKLEVLFSQL 0.400 25 72 WAFPSKALHA 0.300 26 35 IAPKEKGITA 0.300 27 101 ASLQKSIEKA 0.300 28 157 QANKVAKEAA 0.300 29 161 VAKEAANRWT 0.300 30 120 RTRLAKELSS 0.200 31 41 GITAMSVKEV 0.200 32 148 DPQVVEEIRQ 0.200 33 51 LQSLVDDGMV 0.200 34 74 FPSKALHARK 0.200 35 165 AANRWTDNIF 0.180 36 58 GMVDCERIGT 0.150 37 150 QVVEEIRQAN 0.150 38 23 TKDVFQLKDL 0.120 39 146 DCDPQVVEEI 0.120 40 34 KIAPKEKGIT 0.100 41 27 FQLKDLEKIA 0.100 42 53 SLVDDGMVDC 0.100 43 13 RTRMMEIFSE 0.100 44 156 RQANKVAKEA 0.100 45 154 EIRQANKVAK 0.100 46 5 KGLSAEEKRT 0.100 47 92 QLSEGSQKHA 0.100 48 160 KVAKEAANRW 0.100 49 64 RIGTSNYYWA 0.100 50 129 SLRDQREQLK 0.100

TABLE XVII HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121P1F1 - B35 - 9mers Score (Estimate of Half Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Ran Start Residue a Molecule Containing k Position Listing This Subsequence 1 36 APKEKGITA 12.000 2 136 QLKAEVFKY 9.000 3 161 VAKEAANRW 9.000 4 129 SLRDQREQL 6.000 5 46 SVKEVLQSL 6.000 6 8 SAEEKRTRM 3.600 7 166 ANRWTDNIF 3.000 8 195 FGIPEDFDY 3.000 9 43 TAMSVKEVL 3.000 10 122 RLAKELSSL 3.000 11 51 LQSLVDDGM 2.000 12 193 RTFGIPEDF 2.000 13 80 HARKHKLEV 1.800 14 109 KAKIGRCET 1.800 15 52 QSLVDDGMV 1.500 16 1 MSKKKGLSA 1.500 17 196 GIPEDFDYI 1.200 18 165 AANRWTDNI 1.200 19 66 GTSNYYWAF 1.000 20 78 ALHARKHKL 1.000 21 95 EGSQKHASL 1.000 22 64 RIGTSNYYW 1.000 23 34 KIAPKEKGI 0.800 24 45 MSVKEVLQS 0.750 25 57 DGMVDCERI 0.600 26 120 RTRLAKELS 0.600 27 13 RTRMMEIFS 0.600 28 28 QLKDLEKIA 0.600 29 27 FQLKDLEKI 0.600 30 85 KLEVLESQL 0.600 31 62 CERIGTSNY 0.600 32 171 DNIFAIKSW 0.500 33 35 LAPKEKGIT 0.450 34 15 RMMEIFSET 0.400 35 154 EIRQANKVA 0.300 36 157 QANKVAKEA 0.300 37 150 QVVEEIRQA 0.300 38 115 CETEERTRL 0.300 39 158 ANKVAKEAA 0.300 40 164 EAANRWTDN 0.300 41 81 ARKHKLEVL 0.300 42 18 EIFSETKDV 0.300 43 143 KYKDCDPQV 0.240 44 42 ITAMSVKEV 0.200 45 105 KSIEKAKIG 0.200 46 74 FPSKALHAR 0.200 47 148 DPQVVEEIR 0.200 48 12 KRTRMMEIF 0.200 49 24 KDVFQLKDL 0.200 50 63 ERIGTSNYY 0.200

Table XVIII HLA Peptide Scoring Results: 121PlF1 - B35 - 10mers Score (Estimate of Half Subsequence Time of Disassociation of Ran Start Residue a Molecule Containing k Position Listing This Subsequence) 1 36 APKEKGITAM 240.000 2 7 LSAEEKRTRM 20.000 3 177 KSWAKRKFGF 10.000 4 80 HARKHKLEVL 9.000 5 77 KALHARKHKL 6.000 6 45 MSVKEVLQSL 5.000 7 128 SSLRDQREQL 5.000 8 8 SAEEKRTRMM 3.600 9 175 AIKSWAKRKF 3.000 10 165 AANRWTDNIF 3.000 11 135 EQLKAEVEKY 3.000 12 20 FSETKDVFQL 2.250 13 50 VLQSLVDDGM 2.000 14 161 VAKEAANRWT 1.800 15 103 LQKSIEKAKI 1.800 16 132 DQREQLKAEV 1.200 17 188 ENKIDRTFGI 1.200 18 46 SVKEVLQSLV 1.200 19 164 EAANRWTDNI 1.200 20 65 IGTSNYYWAF 1.000 21 42 ITAMSVKEVL 1.000 22 160 KVAKEAANRW 1.000 23 18 EIFSETKDVF 1.000 24 114 RCETEERTRL 0.900 25 120 RTRLAKELSS 0.600 26 62 CERIGTSNYY 0.600 27 61 DCERIGTSNY 0.600 28 195 FGIPEDFDYI 0.600 29 67 TSNYYWAFPS 0.500 30 101 ASLQKSIEKA 0.500 31 166 ANRWTDNIFA 0.450 32 143 KYKDCDPQVV 0.360 33 97 SQKHASLQKS 0.300 34 58 GMVDCERIGT 0.300 35 5 KGLSAEEKRT 0.300 36 194 TFGIPEDFDY 0.300 37 34 KIAPKEKGIT 0.300 38 158 ANKVAKEAAN 0.300 39 148 DPQVVEEIRQ 0.300 40 11 EKRTRMMEIF 0.300 41 112 IGRCETEERT 0.300 42 35 IAPKEKGITA 0.300 43 118 EERTRLAKEL 0.300 44 157 QANKVAKEAA 0.300 45 72 WAFPSKALHA 0.300 46 51 LQSLVDDGMV 0.300 47 105 KSIEKAKIGR 0.200 48 64 RIGTSNYYWA 0.200 49 74 FPSKALHARK 0.200 50 150 QVVEEIRQAN 0.200

TABLE XIX Motif-bearing Subsequences of the 121P1F1 Protein Motifs Present in 121P1F1 Protein One Steroid hormone receptor signature 168-189 One bZIP transcription factor 117-143 Post-Translational Modification Sites Present in 121P1F1 Protein Four Protein kinase C phosphorylation sites 1 2-4 SKK 2 46-48 SVK 3 97-99 SQK 4 129-131 SLR Four casein kinase II phosphorylation sites 1  8-11 SAEE 2 46-49 SVKE 3 53-56 SLVD 4 129-132 SLRD One N-myristoylation site 1 58-63 GMVDCE

121P1F1 is likely a cytoplasmic protein, with potential association with the cytoplasmic membrane. 121P1F1 has a calculated MW of 23.75 kDa and p1 of 8.28. It is probable that 121P1F1 is a cytoplasmic protein based on two topology algorithms (J. Mol. Biol. 2000, 300:1005 and Bioinformatics, 1998, 14:378) and based on its homology to Dynactin. However, it is also possible that 121P1F1 is localized in the nucleus based on PSORT analysis (http://psort.nibb.ac.jp:8800/form.html). TABLE XX Frequently Occurring Motifs Name av. % identity Description Potential Function zf-C2H2 34% Zinc finger, C2H2 type Nucleic acid-binding protein functions as transcription factor, nuclear location probable cytochrome_b_N 68% Cytochrome b(N- membrane bound oxidase, generate terminal)/b6/petB superoxide ig 19% Immunoglobulin domain domains are one hundred amino acids long and include a conserved intradomain disulfide bond. WD40 18% WD domain, G-beta tandem repeats of about 40 residues, repeat each containing a Trp-Asp motif. Function in signal transduction and protein interaction PDZ 23% PDZ domain may function in targeting signaling molecules to sub-membranous sites LRR 28% Leucine Rich Repeat short sequence motifs involved in protein-protein interactions pkinase 23% Protein kinase domain conserved catalytic core common to both serine/threonine and tyrosine protein kinases containing an ATP binding site and a catalytic site PH 16% PH domain pleckstrin homology involved in intracellular signaling or as constituents of the cytoskeleton EGF 34% EGF-like domain 30-40 amino-acid long found in the extracellular domain of membrane- bound proteins or in secreted proteins rvt 49% Reverse transcriptase (RNA-dependent DNA polymerase) ank 25% Ank repeat Cytoplasmic protein, associates integral membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton oxidored_q1 32% NADH- membrane associated. Involved in Ubiquinone/plastoquinone proton translocation across the (complex I), various membrane chains efhand 24% EF hand calcium-binding domain, consists of a12 residue loop flanked on both side by a 12 residue alpha-helical domain rvp 79% Retroviral aspartyl Aspartyl or acid proteases, centered protease on a catalytic aspartyl residue Collagen 42% Collagen triple helix extracellular structural proteins repeat (20 copies) involved in formation of connective tissue. The sequence consists of the G-X-Y and the polypeptide chains forms a triple helix. fn3 20% Fibronectin type III Located in the extracellular ligand- domain binding region of receptors and is about 200 amino acid residues long with two pairs of cysteines involved in disulfide bonds 7tm_1 19% 7 transmembrane receptor seven hydrophobic transmembrane (rhodopsin family) regions, with the N-terminus located extracellularly while the C-terminus is cytoplasmic. Signal through G proteins 

1-55. (canceled)
 56. An assay for detecting the presence of a 121P1F1-related molecule in a biological sample comprising the steps of: contacting the sample with another molecule that specifically binds to the 121P1F1-related molecule; and detecting the binding of the 121P1F1-related molecule in the sample.
 57. The assay of claim 56 for detecting the presence of a 121P1F1-related molecule comprising the steps of: obtaining the sample; performing the steps of claim 56; and evaluating the sample in the presence of a 121P1F1-related molecule, whereby said evaluating step produces a result that indicates the presence or amount of 121P1F1-related molecule.
 58. The assay of claim 56 for detecting the presence of a 121P1F1-related molecule, wherein the 121P1F1-related molecule is a 121P1F1 polynucleotide and the molecule that specifically binds to the 121P1F1-related molecule is a polynucleotide probe, and wherein the step of detecting the binding of the 121P1F1-related molecule in the sample comprises detecting the presence of a hybridization complex formed by the hybridization of the probe with 121P1F1 polynucleotide in the sample, whereby the presence of the hybridization complex indicates the presence of 121P1F1 polynucleotide within the sample.
 59. The assay of claim 58, wherein the polynucleotide probe specifically hybridizes to a polynucleotide encoding an 121P1F1-related protein having an amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO: 2).
 60. The assay of claim 59, wherein the polynucleotide probe comprises all or part of the cDNA sequence of 121P1F1 (SEQ ID NO: 1).
 61. The assay of claim 59, wherein the polynucleotide encoding an 121P1F1-related protein having an amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO: 2) is an mRNA polynucleotide.
 62. The assay of claim 60, wherein the polynucleotide encoding an 121P1F1-related protein having an amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2 (SEQ ID NO: 2) is an mRNA polynucleotide.
 63. An assay for detecting the presence of 121P1F1 mRNA in a biological sample comprising: (a) producing cDNA from the sample by reverse transcription using at least one primer; (b) amplifying the cDNA so produced using 121P1F1 polynucleotides as sense and antisense primers to amplify 121P1F1 cDNAs therein, wherein the 121P1F1 polynucleotides used as the sense and antisense probes are capable of amplifying the 121P1F1 cDNA contained within the plasmid as deposited with American Type Culture Collection as Accession No. PTA-3139; and (c) detecting the presence of the amplified 121P1F1 cDNA.
 64. The assay of claim 56 for detecting the presence of a 121P1F1-related molecule, wherein the 121P1F1-related molecule is a 121P1F1 polypeptide.
 65. The assay of claim 56 for detecting the presence of a 121P1F1-related molecule, wherein the molecule that specifically binds to the 121P1F1-related molecule is an antibody.
 66. The assay of claim 64 for detecting the presence of a 121P1F1-related molecule, wherein the molecule that specifically binds to the 121P1F1-related molecule is an antibody.
 67. A method for monitoring 121P1F1 gene products comprising: determining the status of 121P1F1 gene products expressed by cells in a tissue sample from an individual; comparing the status so determined to the status of 121P1F1 gene products in a corresponding normal sample; and identifying the presence of aberrant 121P1F1 gene products in the sample relative to the normal sample.
 68. A method of monitoring the presence of cancer in an individual comprising performing the method of claim 62 wherein the 121P1F1 gene products are 121P1F1 mRNA and whereby the presence of elevated 121P1F1 mRNA in the test sample relative to the normal tissue sample provides an indication of the presence or status of a cancer.
 69. A method of monitoring the presence of cancer in an individual comprising performing the method of claim 67 wherein the 121P1F1 gene products are 121P1F1 protein and whereby the presence of elevated 121P1F1 protein expression in the test sample relative to the normal tissue sample provides an indication of the presence or status of a cancer.
 70. The method of claim 68, wherein the cancer occurs in a tissue set forth in Table I.
 71. The method of claim 69, wherein the cancer occurs in a tissue set forth in Table I. 